The best part of my day was entering the kennel only to have Barkley greeting me with a smile on his face and perky ears. And yes, dogs do smile. The worst part of my day was greeting Barkley with an exuberant "Hi Buddy!" and then panicking while looking at Deb, who was holding his leash, "wait, that IS Barkley, right?" I hate not knowing him like the back of my hand. I love the comfort Delsie and I have grown to know. A bond. A partnership. It is common to automatically associate this word, partnership, to marriage. Many of us have have attended a union between a guy and a girl where it is typical to declare vows to one another in a room filled with people who support you. Words such as 'for better or for worse' or 'till death do is part' are shared as a promise. Sometimes the word 'obey' is tossed in there for good measure...ahem, Barkley...
No worries- I am not completely nuts- I do realize that I am not marrying Barkley. However, our partnership requires the level of commitment as if I were entering a marriage. I think of the passage in the Bible in Ecclesiastes 4:10 "If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." And in my world, this passage can be taken literally. I know one wouldn't exist without the other in my definition of the word, partnership. A partnership is a team.
A successful partner would recognize you as you enter the kennel...sorry, Barkley. Your stuck with me as your partner for life. I am eager to begin our life together. And without a marriage ceremony, I am making a public declaration to you that I am committed to make this work. I know you are, too. Thanks for that.
"I, Holly. take you, Barkley..."
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