Living Unconditionally

It all happened just by chance, when she saw me sprinting down the road to play with the eleven month old beagle pup, Archie, owned by a neighbour. And as I walked back home that evening, I heard the rhythm of  four legs trotting behind me. I turned behind to find a friendly, yet apprehensive, black bitch! Her large dark eyes were wrought with fear indicating the abuse that she was subject to. I smiled and walked on, with her following me all the way home, halting when I did to greet a neighbour. Once home, I fed her some bread with milk, patted her and asked her to go home.
The next morning I found her huddled at my gate, jumping with joy on seeing me; I just couldn't get annoyed looking at her prance in happiness and letting out whines of relief. Since it seemed like she wasn't going anywhere anytime soon I decided to give her a name - René. I could tell she liked having a name; I guess it gave her a feeling of belonging to someone. She learnt a few commands, and soon I began to get lessons on life from her - of loving unconditionally and living like there isn't going to be a tomorrow.

While my dogs, Casper and Spooky, have the luxury of a warm bed to get through the cold winter night, René has a pit she created in a pile of sand just outside my gate. Yet, she bears no grudge and continues to prance with joy everytime she sees me. She follows me as I walk my dogs, runs along with me as I jog and sits with me as I sit on a bench along the road. I talk to her and she looks at me, as if understanding everything I say. And then she  walks along, back to what is now her new 'home'.

René doesn't know where her next meal is going to come from, or where she would be the next night. She has no idea if she would be taken to the pound or get driven away by other fierce, territorial strays. She doesn't take my love for granted - I am not 'her kind', after all!
But she lives in the moment, with all the life that her frail body has to offer!

René, if only you could read this - thanks for following me that evening.

Casper and Spooky are now used to René's presence. And I am hoping my family warms up to the idea of having one more dog in the house...