I had two dogs. The first was a mix of Pointer and Setter. The second was a Basset Hound. For some reason, I was the first one they met. I either picked them up or chose them. The first one was when I was 10 years old, and I brought her home on the train in a picnic basket. I kept opening and closing the lid of the basket many times on the way, and watching the sleeping puppy, I was so excited. When I was on the subway, an old lady sitting next to me asked, "Oh, a puppy, is it yours?" and I was happy to say, "Yes, it is."
What should I name her? How will I raise her? We'll be together forever, won't we? I think that was the first time my heart danced like that.
Looking back now, I think I was closer to the dogs. The first one was always getting into trouble. She kept running away. She was very fast. An old man chased her on a 150cc scooter, but she thought it was a game of race and ran faster than full speed. Around the corners, like in an American comic, her legs were spinning, and she was drifting.
When I was a university student, I took my dog to school. And since I was also a bit of a rascal, I impulsively, jokingly, let go of the leash at the university cafeteria and said, "Have a good day!" Even now, I want to say, "I'm so sorry about that time!" My dog ran around the entire cafeteria, excited by the smell of food. I laughed so hard. She lived to be about 18 years old. She was really strong.
The second one was around when I was 25. Bassets have short legs (Basset means short in French), so it was easy to catch her even if she ran away, lol. At that time, I was working the night shift, so when she first came to my house, I took care of her during the day. She was a puppy and followed me everywhere. She thought I was her mother. Once, she even followed me into the bath, so I put the puppy in the bathtub. It was like swimming in space. She moved slowly. Lol lol.
He's a smart dog. When I pretend to cry, he brings me a towel in his mouth. He'd bring it, dragging his long ears, with a little huff and puff. He was a kind dog. I laughed so much.
Lately, my daughter says she wants a dog. Maybe not yet, but someday we'll get one together. Dogs are good. I learned from dogs that there is unconditional love.