the perfect pet

photo of a kitten on top of a child's hands on top of their parents hands

Have you ever dreamed of having the perfect pet? Wouldn’t it be great to have a dog that you can take anywhere because they behave so well, whether with groups of people or unfamiliar dogs. A dog who obeys any command immediately, politely greets guests at your home and although playful and energetic, is never rambunctious, fearful or aggressive. Or what about a cat companion you can trust not to jump on countertops or tables. A cat that is affectionate on your terms and never nips or scratches either you or the furniture. Seriously, haven’t we all thought at one time, this is the kind of pet we were going to have when we first brought them home?

Well, I did have the perfect pet. His name was Walla and he was a rescue dog from Lima, Peru. I had been looking for the ‘right’ dog for about a year and the moment I saw his picture on Petfinder, I knew he was the one. Walla was a Peruvian Inca Orchid, a hairless breed that has been gaining some popularity in the last 10 years. He was a little shy at first, but after a bit he began enjoying going for walks and was a great loose-leash dog. He did everything I asked him to, including standing still during grooming, while I put on his halter or when he had to wear a jacket during cold weather. Walla came to work with me and was happy to see friends and strangers alike. At night, he would even curl up and spoon with me under the covers. In my eyes, he was the most perfect dog I could have imagined. Except he really wasn’t.

Walla was born on the streets of Lima and before he was a year old, he had been hit by three different cars. The accidents crippled his back legs and caused him to be completely incontinent, which meant he wore a diaper 24 hours a day and would have a bowel movement when he needed to, regardless of where he was. Walla had to be the only pet in the house. The time spent trying to survive the odds as a disabled dog amongst those who were stronger and fitter, caused him to be very insecure and fear aggressive. Walla was also what is known as a primitive breed, which means a dog breed that has kept its genetic background intact for several thousands of years. So, when he moved to Midwest America, I discovered he was allergic to North American vegetation. He couldn’t walk in the grass without his feet swelling to twice their size. He was also allergic to gluten and more than a hint of animal fat. Given his incontinence, I won’t go into what would happen if he ate something he could not digest well. In the last year of his short life, Walla developed a bladder infection that could not be healed due to the damage caused internally by the car accidents. All that year I fought to keep him as well as possible, often waking up during the night to make sure he was still breathing. On May 2, 2021, we lost the battle and Walla asked me to let him go.

I will always, however, claim Walla was the most perfect dog I will ever have. The bond we had was deeper than I thought possible with either an animal or a human. His love carried me through a couple of really hard years and his attitude toward the limits of his disabilities to just be a normal dog showed the heart of a champion.

So, how does your animal companion stack up to the standard of perfection? Do you have a shy, fearful or reactive dog? Does your cat refuse to cuddle but drapes itself over your head while you sleep? What imperfections does your pet have that annoy or aggravate you daily? And if we turn the question around, what would your pet have to say about your attitude and behaviors? Let’s face it, there is no perfection in this world except for one. That one is love, and the unconditional love you share with your animal companion is the only perfection you need. If you would like to know ways to deepen the bond between you and your pet, book a session with me and let’s find out.

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