Besties

If you’ve read my column for even a few months, you’ll know how much my husband John and I love animals. Friends and family members have often compared us to “Ace Ventura” over the years. Just like Jim Carrey’s character, animals seem to be drawn to us.

This may be why we’re often dog sitting for people. Our own dogs, Sasha and Elli, get along well with other animals, so it’s worked great.

Our latest visitor, Daisy, a delightful four-year-old Goldendoodle, is a seasoned guest in our home. However, she had never spent more than one day with Sasha, our young, energetic dog. We’ve often wondered if they’d play together during a longer stay. Well, last week we received our answer.

Cynthia, Greg, and their daughter Zoe dropped Daisy off on Friday evening, May 29 for a 10-day stay while they enjoyed a much-deserved vacation. Over the weekend, all three “girls” as we called them tentatively hung out together and got to know each other.

On Monday June 1, however, it was like a light switch turned on. John and I watched, grinning, as Daisy and Sasha discovered the joy of playing and racing together through the backyard. It was “game on!”

Soon, our days began with the two of them wrestling upstairs, downstairs, and outside. We heard playful yipping, growling, and barking off and on throughout the day. And the evenings were even more interesting.

As John and I prepared for bed one night, we were startled to hear what we thought was a familiar early summer sound.

“Was that thunder?” John asked. We slowly looked up at our ceiling and realized, no, it wasn’t thunder – it was the sound of two rambunctious dogs racing back and forth on the carpet upstairs. We chuckled.

Photo provided by Amy Shankland

As the week continued, Daisy and Sasha’s friendship grew. Sasha, the Queen of Drive-By Kisses, would often lick Daisy’s face. The two of them would sit together on the couch. When we took walks, Daisy would pull anxiously on the leash if she drifted too far behind Sasha.

The day finally arrived for Daisy to be picked up. My heart gave a little pang when Cynthia texted, saying they’d arrive to get her around 11:00 that morning. I knew Sasha would miss her new bestie.

John and I loved seeing the joyful reunion between Daisy, her mama, and Zoe. After they left, we watched Sasha carefully and tried to give her extra attention. She was a bit lost.

We’ll bring Daisy and Sasha together often, as Cynthia and Greg are part of “Our Gang,” our group of friends who meet at one of our houses once a month for dinner. And I’m sure Daisy will visit us again this fall during the holidays.

My animal-loving heart enjoyed seeing this new friendship and the happiness it gives these pups. We look forward to the “besties” reuniting later this year!

Amy Shankland is an empty-nester, writer, and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John and two dogs. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.