Foley's Tails From Rainbow Bridge: What a Dog Wants

Let me tell you, as your faithful dog correspondent on both sides of the River of Life for 16 years, do not try to figure out what a dog wants or needs. It is you.

Minnie, a pittie, was held by her dad, Michael Naylor, as a newborn. We indeed imprint on the first person we see, but if we don’t get total love from the person, the imprint washes away. But she did not have to worry that this would happen with Michael. That moment they looked at one another he surrendered his heart to her.

Michael, a father of three, took Minnie wherever he went, and if the place didn’t take dogs, Michael didn’t go.

His wife and children loved Minnie too, but she was her dad’s dog. 

It would be nice if that was how the story ended, but stories of constant happiness don’t spread but those of constant sorrow do.

The sorrow began in 2021 when Naylor was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and kidney issues, and then pancreatic cancer.

As Naylor grew worse he realized he could not take care of Minnie.

But, to Minnie, she didn’t need walks, food, or water, just him. Dogs can live off of love.

Naylor’s love for Minnie was just as strong, and he decided that her devotion to him was unhealthy. The big dog had to be dragged from Naylor’s room, and the first chance she got she ran back to him,

Naylor had prepared for the worst.  He did not want Minnie to suffer watching him die. So he made the worst possible decision for both him and Minnie.

He surrendered her, out of love, to a nearby shelter. Minnie was so distraught it was impossible to adopt out for a year.

Meanwhile, Naylor’s life without Minnie was unbearable. He handled her tags like they were a rosary, and would visit the shelter during outside hours so he could get a glimpse of her.

In 2023 Minnie was adopted by another family and Naylor gave up taking medication, eating, or going to the doctor. Without being able to see Minnie he gave up on life.

Minnie only had love for one person in her heart and while she liked the nice people who adopted her she would not bond with them, and within a year was surrendered back to the shelter. Minnie was placed on the adoption list.

Naylor had gone off the shelter’s website every day, like a captain’s wife on the widow’s walk yearning for a sign for his long overdue ship. 

I saw Minnie’s picture and weakly announced he was getting her back.

Shortly after that Naylor found he had been misdiagnosed, and with proper treatment would be fine. With getting Minnie back his endgame, Naylor began to work hard to get healthy for the first time in two years.

When Naylor entered remission he contracted the shelter, two years after letting Minnie go. She was still there. Naylor found her playing in the yard and called her name. Minnie’s ears went up, her tail began to twirl, and she jumped into his arms.

Tears were shed that day by all involved, enough tears to cause a monsoon at the Bridge when they fell.

After two years Minnie was home and happy. 

And Naylor, with his heart and soul intact again, was soon returned to full health.

So, dear humans, remember, no matter how bad things get, your dogs want you.

Only you.

You are all they need in a world without end.

Amen.