I love animals … specifically dogs … more specifically my dog, Kamille. She's absolutely the best! One of the reasons that I love her so much is because of the unbelievable affection and loyalty that she has towards me. Many times, the term 'puppy love' has a negative connotation, indicating that the love is not real or love that is experienced between young people who don't know what real love is. But I found a definition of puppy love that says 'It is named for its resemblance to the adoring, worshipful affection that may be felt by a puppy'. In my experience, the love felt by a puppy is real.
For example, Kamille ALWAYS wants to be around me. Sometimes it gets kinda annoying, but most of the time it is wonderful. Last night, Kamille was in a dead sleep in the living room, but as soon as I got up to walk into another room, she quickly followed. She followed me, sat near my feet, and then fell right back to sleep. She didn't want anything. Just wanted to be near me. I LOVED THAT! And this was not the first or only occasion where it has happened. No matter what Kamille is doing or engaged in, she needs to know that I am near. As soon as I move to a location where she no longer senses me around, she runs to find me.
<<<<<< Kamille sleeping on my lap
Not only that, but she is always genuinely excited when I come home. I always know that she will be waiting for me at the door ready to greet me, and if she isn't then something is wrong. I know that when I look at her and catch her eyes, she feels happiness and begins wagging her tail. Simply because I am looking in her direction! I know that if I'm sitting on the couch, she will walk up and position her head on my leg in such a way that forces me to rub her head and back. She will even find my hand and nudge her head underneath it.
Sometimes, I'll even play hide and seek with her in the house (don't judge me on this one, I already told you that I love my dog). I will -try- to sneak away or run from her and hide in a closet or behind the sofa or anywhere that I can get to quick enough to duck down. When I do manage to successfully get away, she knows what I smell like and can sniff me out immediately. When she finds me she gets extra happy and jumps/licks all over me. If I'm in a closet and she can't see me, she still knows that I'm in there. And she waits, and waits, and waits outside of the door until I come out. I always hear her sniffing and can see her shadow pacing through the crack at the bottom of the door. No matter how long I make her wait, she never goes away. Whether she sees me or not, because she KNOWS my aroma, she KNOWS that I am behind that door and will not leave until I appear.
Although there are times when I have to discipline her harshly, and although as a puppy I've had to be strict in training her to obey and not pee in the house, she still has the same attitude of worship & adoration towards me. She knows that I am a good master and she has grown to be a wonderful pet and companion. Kamille is 2.5 yrs old, but I love the fact that she still has so much puppy love, and I realize that I want to love like her. I want to exhibit adoring, worshipful affection towards my master. I want to be committed to knowing him and sensing exactly where his presence is. I want to drop whatever I'm doing to lay at his feet. I want to wait patiently for him, knowing that eventually he will appear and I don't want to miss that moment when he does. I want to feel that crazy joy that comes from simply glaring in his eyes. I want to be more than just a servant, but also a companion. I want puppy love.
