This is the story of the dog on my shoulder, it is true and it happened Thursday afternoon. I was alone in the house, Maria had gone to her belly dancing class.
I had been to the oral surgeon in Saratoga, he had done some surgery to remove an implant that was infected. This week, I’ve been on antibiotics and pain killers, and today, I had some stitches removed.
I was tired when I got home and woozy from the two deep shots of Novocaine and other medications, and perhaps a bit also from the medications from the laser eye surgery I had the other day.
I had worked for a couple of hours on my next book, Gus And Bud, and blogged, and I needed to rest, so I lay down on my chair.
I fell into the kind of deep and medicated sleep that is somewhere between rest and semi-consciousness. I felt a gentle pressure on my right shoulder, but I thought it might be a pillow or part of a dream.
It was so light.
Eventually, I opened my eyes and was very surprised to see Bud asleep right on my right shoulder. I thought it must be a dream. How would he have gotten up there without my knowing?
Somehow, he had hopped up onto my chair and worked his way up my right side and put his head on my shoulder and slept with me.
I was surprised by this, and also touched. It was an extraordinarily affectionate and loving thing for Bud to do, something that had never happened to me before.
I guess that’s one of the things about small dogs, they can get to places bigger dogs can’t. I liked having him there, I closed my eyes and went back to sleep for a bit. I did hear his snoring, which sometimes sounded like a gas-driven lawn mower.
I have no idea if he knew I had been through the ringer or not, he has never done that before.
Later in the day, while I was writing, he went back to the chair, got the pillow and started tearing the insides out. I roared at him, and he dashed into his crate.
My Iphone was in my pocket, I did think to take a photo. He slept right through it. He touched my heart. If felt like a parable. But it was true.
Beautiful.
Small dogs can be a great comfort when you are in pain or sick. Once when I was in bed with the flu, my son dropped by with his dog, who knows me well. Frankie (the dog) knows he is not allowed on our furniture. But that day, he flew up the stairs, ran into our bedroom, jumped on the bed and came right up to my face. I swear he was saying, “It’s okay, I’m here.” And he promptly curled up by my side and fell asleep. Having him there was a great comfort, so I didn’t tell him to get down. It sounds as if that was what Bud was doing for you. I think sometimes dogs, especially small ones, just know what we need.
My Jack Russell, Mandy, had a favorite phrase. “Do you wanna perch?” That was the signal to jump into my lap and then jump up to plant her butt on my left shoulder and drape her front legs over the back of the recliner. She loved to sit there and look out the window and I loved the warmth and comfort of her presence. You’re right, it’s a small dog thing. If my airedale tried it, the chair would go flying and 911 would be called after I crashed through the window.
I am so glad that you found each other. I have 3 Velcro pugs; they snore like an idling diesel truck. The smallest one sleeps glued to my side. I find so much comfort from having her there. Bud has found his human.
Loving,cuddling Bostons are the best! Such a wonderful feeling..so glad you have one too!
Was Bud sleeping on the side that had the work done on it? I’ve had cats seem to notice a place that hurt me and then come and sat on it or next to it. It’s like they can see something we can’t.