MissDottie, who “adopted” the writer, in her human’s arms. Courtesy photo.
By CARMELITTA TIFFANY
Recently, a severe migraine put me out of commission. I retreated to my dark bedroom with a cool cloth over my eyes and enough medication to sedate an elephant. After a long drug-induced nap, I woke up with a warm body nestled near mine. Although I already knew who it was, I took off my eye wrap and looked into the big brown eyes of my best friend.
Those eyes aren’t my spouse’s. They belong to my 20-pound furry friend. Her name is Dottie. I call her MissDottie or Missus, for short. She is part schnauzer, part Yorkie, and part whatsiswhosis. She and I have been together about eight years now. She’s always there for me, through thick or thin.
I am the fortunate type of person who never has to go looking for a pet, and MissDottie is a prime example. She came to me from an acquaintance who needed to rehome her. It was perfect timing, as my other dog, Charlie, had just lost his soul “catpanion” Maxx to old age.
Charlie and Dottie were the perfect pair ⸺ about the same size, but with completely opposite temperaments. She was precocious to his laid-back, and they were always together.
Unfortunately, Charlie vanished from our lives a few years ago, and Dottie has adopted me as her soulmate. She has taken such good care of me during these last few years, through a hip replacement and COVID lockdown. We enjoy our quiet life, now that we are both of retirement age, and are always happy to have my grandson Henry come over to play.
I have thought about finding MissDottie a friend to adopt, but I stop and remember that it isn’t the way it works with me. I must be patient and wait for the next furry soul to find us and adopt us. We aren’t in a hurry, though. MissDottie and I enjoy each other’s company as we are right now.
I know that there are many animal shelters out there wishing for us to come in and adopt a stray, and that works for many people, but I cherish the magical moment when I am chosen to befriend a creature, when they decide to adopt me, the stray soul searching for love.
Carmelitta Tiffany resides in Mason County, where she spent the last 30-some years enjoying the blessings of rural life. She is a semi-retired journalist who serves those needing “wordy” advice through her business, West MI Editorial Services.
