I was talking to earlier on about pets and how I don't like them. Actually, what I meant was that it's not I don't like them as in I dislike them, it's just I find it very weird that something breathes and moves and it's not human. It gives me a bit of creep. I'm not a pet lover, I would never keep a pet (I kept goldfish once when I was a kid because I don't have to touch them) and I didn't think I would ever write any pet related posts.
Then I remembered, I did fall in love with a dog once. Her name was Bodwyn and she belonged to our friend Pete. Here she is, I don't like pets, let alone dogs, but I think she's beautiful.
I met Bodwyn in 2013. She and Pete lived in Wales in UK, and one weekend we went to stay with them. Actually, before we went to visit Pete, we didn't even know about Bodwyn. We were a bit taken back when we saw her, and because Pete knows we weren't too keen on dogs, he initially kept her in the kitchen.
Bodwyn was actually Lindsay, Pete's wife's dog. Pete used to work abroad a lot, and with the kids away, Lindsay got herself a dog to keep her company. A few years ago (prior to our visit) Lindsay got cancer, and within a matter of months left Pete and Bodwyn. It all happened so suddenly leaving the family devasted, Bodwyn included of course.
Pete was telling us, after Lindsay's death, every time he opened the wardrobe or drawers which used to contain Lindsay's clothes, Bodwyn would come dashing into the room thinking that Lindsay was back. I never thought a dog would make bring tears to my eyes.
As the hours went by during the day, I started to warm up to Bodwyn. Perhaps it's the first time I had spent so much time with a dog in the same room. And I think she actually liked me which was a bit odd, because I'm told dogs can sense how people feel towards them. She came to sit by my foot side, and Pete said if she lets me rub her tummy, she definitely likes me. And that's the weird part I find. Touching a warm living creature that isn't human. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, but I got over the weird feeling because Bodwyn was becoming adorable.
The next day we went for a walk up to Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales and the second highest in UK.
Bodwyn was so happy to be roaming in the open. I think she knows her way around because she and Pete come here very often. She would dash off on her own, but never too far away, and would always wait around for us to catch up. In fact she's a very well behaved dog. Pete used to be in the Navy and has trained her well. He's a very disciplined person, and this reflects on Bodwyn, who's also very disciplined.
Snowdon is 1085 meter high, we never made it to the top that day, and never expected to as we were just out for a stroll. It was a lovely day, and I have to confess, my bond with Bodwyn strengthen that afternoon. By the time we had to leave on Sunday, I was so sad to say good bye to her.
Two years later we went to visit Pete again. Unfortunately Bodwyn was with Pete's son' that weekend so I didn't see her. I was quite gutted as I was really looking forward to seeing her. Pete took us to climb Snowdon again, and this time we made it to the top. On the way back down, I was resting, and a dog came by. Sadly not Bodwyn of course.
Every year I would send Pete and Bodwyn a Christmas card, an actual one I have to add as Pete is old school, I'd make sure I send my love to Bodwyn. One year, Pete wrote back on his Christmas card saying that Bodwyn had died during the year. She was getting old and Pete was expecting it.
I wasn't. I'd only been with Bodwyn for a weekend, I didn't think I wouldn't see her again.... I don't think I'll ever fall in love with a dog again. It hurts.