Love and Labradors

At times I felt like I was suffocating. My heart would clench as though a snake was wrapping itself around and constricting it. The pain would be so unbearable I felt sure I was being ripped apart. He had taken my heart and stomped on it until it bled across the floor. He was my first love, the only one I've ever known. I'd like to say that it gets easier with time, but the truth is, the pain just becomes a replacement for the lost companionship.

Everyday I would bike to my favorite coffee shop just to sit and stare at the mountains while thinking about life. Sometimes I would write a poem or a story, other times I would just sip my beverage and wonder what is going to happen next. Occasionally I'd read a book. I did this before the break up, and now that we're through, being there only adds to the fact that he isn't texting me while I ponder.

Today, while sitting outside drinking my green tea smoothie, the sun blaring down on me, I felt something wet and rough on my leg. I looked down to see the biggest, brownest eyes I've ever seen. They were attached to a face with a long nose that had tickled me, a somewhat chubby body, four legs, and a tale that wagged so hard it looked like it was about to fall off.

“Hello puppy,” I said, smiling slightly.

The black lab tilted its head and proceeded to open its mouth and a fat pink tongue came lolling out.

I chuckled and scratched the dog behind its ears. “What's your name? Where's your master?”

The dog was tied to a chair at the table next to me, but the person sitting there seemed to not care at all about the dog. He was probably about sixty-five and seemed to be considering how best to reach his brain from his nose. The dog's collar said his name was Eric. Gulp! The same name as my recent ex. This adorable puppy was just another reminder of heartbreak.

The old man removed his finger from his nose and stared at me, his eyes somewhat misty and large behind thick glasses. He said, “My granddaughter thought it would be a good idea for me to have a dog, but the truth is, I don't know what to do. In the last seventy years I've only ever had cats as pets. Eric is three years old, he's really adorable, but he's a rescued dog. He has a lot of issues that I don't know how to handle. This may seem a bit forward, but would you mind helping me out? You're the first person Eric has met and hasn't tried to bite. I don't mean for you to have him because I love having company again, but just go for walks with him. It's hard for me to move since I had my knees done. I don't know if this is something you're interested in, but perhaps you could help me?”

I felt unsure. I had a lot of experience with dogs as it turns out. I was not a professional dog trainer or anything like that, but I have helped with training on friends dogs. I know what they need and how to take care of them. This poor dog probably had a very traumatic experience and needed real guidance. The man's granddaughter probably thought just going to the humane society would be perfect for her grandfather. The truth of the matter is, many of those dogs have concerns that most average dog owners do not understand. Some dogs may be really cute, but if they are smart enough and they do not get the proper training and exercise, they become neurotic and bored. These dogs will act out by doing things their owners do not like, such as eating the couch or peeing inside. Some owners blame the dog and abuse them. Others continue to ignore the dog's natural tenancies until they are out of control. Very few owners know exactly what their dog requires. Most of these neurotic dogs end up back at the humane society after being abandoned. The breeds that best represent this are shepherding dogs, huskies, dalmatians, and yes, labradors.

This old man really did need help. I looked at the dog hoping he could tell me what to do. He licked my hand. Perhaps this dog would be a constant reminder of my heartbreak, but I couldn't abandon a dog in need of guidance. “I would be happy to help,” I told the man.

He beamed at me, “Thank you so much young lady. My name is Thomas. Eric and I come here everyday at 11 am. Maybe you could take him during the day and pick him up and drop him off here. I can be back here at 8 pm, if that works. I can pay you too, if you'd like.”

I nodded. I was on summer vacation from college and due to a two-week vacation, I couldn't get a summer job. Helping this man and his dog would be perfect.

“Simply wonderful!” Thomas exclaimed. “How much would you like to be paid?”

“I am not particular. Just pay me whatever you like. The real payment will be training Eric and spending time with him. My name is Cheryl, here's my number if you want to contact me.” I quickly scribbled down my cell phone number and handed it to him. We agreed to meet back there tomorrow for Eric and I's first date.

Our first date. Human Eric and I never had a first date. I kissed him at a party and after that we just kept hooking up until he was my boyfriend. Maybe dog Eric would have more manners.

The next day, I picked up Eric and walked with him to a park. I didn't realize how much work he would be until he chased after a squirrel dragging me behind, tried to bite a little girl, wouldn't heel, sit, or stay. Whoever had owned him before Thomas never bothered to teach him even the basics. Luckily, I was prepared. I brought a little baggy of treats. The first thing I needed to teach him, was that I was the Alpha. Dogs are descended from wolves making them pack animals. Many owners treat their dogs like other people and then act shocked when their dog doesn't listen to them. By showing Eric that I was leader, he would have an easier time following what I was telling him. To do this, I showed him the dog treats, which of course he wanted to rip out of my hands, but I refused until he stopped. When he sat down, stopped barking, and looked up expectantly, I gave him his reward and said, “Good boy Eric,” while rubbing his face and chest. We practiced this a few more times. When he would do something wrong I would sit him down and say “No” forcefully and show him what he was doing that was wrong.

Another mistake many dog owners make is saying the dog's name when they misbehave. By saying their name, the dog will think they have done something good and will continue to do whatever it was that was wrong. Instead, owners should use a signal like a finger or hand that means bad and show them what they did. This teaches them that they were wrong without being beaten. Signals are very important with teaching dogs. Dogs don't understand English; our talking to them is the same as them barking to us. They do understand commands, but these commands have to be followed generally by a signal. If you say “Heel” and pat your leg, it's the pat they understand best. If you say “Lay down” and put your hand on the floor, it's the same thing. Which is exactly what I was doing with Eric. I taught him the basics but he needed to practice them everyday or else he would just forget. Over time, Eric would do what I asked without needing a treat.

Eric loved learning these commands. He was using his very intelligent brain for the first real time, and I found that after only a few weeks, he had moved past the very basics. We were onto tricks like speak, play dead, and shake. Every now and then, though, I would notice him regress and misbehave. It was only then that I would be reminded once again of human Eric. He was always rather kind to me and would listen to me, same as dog Eric, but occasionally he would ignore me for long periods of time and even go after other girls. Dog Eric would do this too. He would ignore my commands and chase after something like another animal, or even another person. It hurt that two Erics in my life could be so hot and cold. But dog Eric seemed to love me more than human Eric ever had, and while it makes me sad to think about, dog Eric is much more loyal.

Having the labrador in my life made me begin to forget about my broken heart. We would walk and play. I taught him to play catch and to swim. Giving him back to Thomas at the end of the day was becoming increasingly difficult. My heartbreak from human Eric was being trumped with my heartbreak of dog Eric not being mine. I wished I could tell Thomas this, but I knew that he needed the companionship more than I did.

I realized in just a week I would be heading off to school for my senior year in college only a month after Eric had touched my leg with his nose. I would no longer have him in my life. Thomas would be without his dog trainer and without me, Eric might regress. I didn't know what to do. I wished I could take Eric with me, but how could I do that to Thomas? Eric had healed my broken heart. When I think of Eric now, it isn't a lame ex-boyfriend who just wasn't good enough for me, it is a smart and energetic black labrador who loves to run while I bike and will sit by my side with a cocked head while I talk about my life.

“I'm sorry to tell you this Thomas, but I'm leaving for California in a few days to go back to school,” I told him after dropping Eric off one day.

Thomas's eyes looked even wider than they normally did. He took his wallet out of his back pocket and removed five hundred dollars. “I'll miss you Cheryl,” was all he said.

I looked at the money, “I can't take your money. Eric was my friend. Being with him was the best thing that could have happened right now.”

Thomas shook his head, “Please take it. It's the least I can do. You turned my neurotic puppy into a best friend. When I first got him, I didn't know what to do with him. But now, I wake up in the morning and he brings me my slippers and my paper. When I get confused sometimes, he puts his head in my lap like he knows and I come back to reality. I know he will miss you You have given me a great gift by helping Eric become the friend I needed. I hope when you return for vacations, you come check up on us.”

I nodded, tears holding back my voice. I took the money from Thomas's outstretched hand, kissed Eric and laughed when he licked my entire face, and walked away. I was no longer selfish about my desire for Eric in my life. I had done a great thing by helping Thomas and I knew Eric would be happy. In the fall I would volunteer for animal rescue and teach dog training.

The whole time I was training Eric, I thought I was helping him, but the truth is, he was helping me. He helped me learn to love again, he helped me get over my pain, he helped me learn what it is I really want to do with my life. I would go to school and thrive by holding the lessons Eric taught me close to my heart.

Thank you, Eric.