Introduction: This Valentine’s Day, I’m thinking a lot about love. I’m deeply grateful for all the love I have in my life, especially my Jeff and Wesley the Dog. My Jeff knows me very well, and he was the one who picked out Wesley several years ago when we visited Pets Come First in State College.

At the time, I was morning the death of my beloved Chihuahua, Tinkerbell. The kind volunteers at Pets Come first informed us that Wesley had been roaming the woods for about three months. They kept catching sight of him on trail cameras between January and March. He was skittish and frightened, but they were eventually able to humanely capture him with food.

At the time, I was unnerved by his brute strength and size. But as time passed, we fell in love. I truly believe that every dog is special and that they all have their own personalities. I thank God for sending Wesley the dog into my life. I also give thanks for my Jeff, who insisted Wesley was the right choice for our family. I would have chosen the pug! But I’m so glad Wesley is the one we brought home with us.

A Different Kind of Love Poem

You came into my life with large sad eyes and a broken heart. 

My heart was cracked, too. 

I was unsure. 

But my husband said, “We’ll take him” 

That first evening you were unsettled —

Frightened 

And still half wild. 

I looked at you 

And you looked at me 

 And my husband said, “Now, what do we do?”

The next day you crawled onto the couch

I reached out and

tangled my fingers in your feral fur. 

You didn’t protest, but you didn’t move closer. 

I was afraid of your might 

Your strength 

Your muscle 

—Such big teeth you have! 

But my husband said, “That dog won’t bite you. I can see it in his eyes.”

On a hot summer evening, I  stepped out into the night and called your name. 

At first, I couldn’t even see the white flag of your tail 

Your black body blended so seamlessly with the night…

And then I heard the pounding of your paws, the rattle of the fence, and a shrill squeak!

You had captured your prey. 

You looked up at me, your eyes bright 

and a splash of red across your teeth

You were proud of your quarry. 

But my husband said, “I’m not sure if he can sleep in our room anymore. He’s a killer.” 

My dearest friend,

The world has been unkind to us both. 

My heart resonates with your wildness. 

You did not let the forest break you, 

or the loss of your first family crush your spirit. 

I remember our first Autumn,

How the leaves turned crisp and crunched beneath  our feet as I tried to teach you how to play fetch. 

I fearlessly pried the tennis ball from your large jowls 

And my husband laughed and said “that dog is such a mama’s boy.”

My heart sang to know he was right. 

I knelt and wrapped my arms around your soft strong neck 

inhaled your sweet scent 

And marveled at how far we had come …

My best friend, 

welcome 

…Home. 

RLH

1/23/25

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