man's best friend

It is impossible to write about moments with Sophie without including a tale specifically about Jones and Sophie. While the notion of man’s best friend has been written about by many men who have owned dogs, I would like to discuss it from the perspective of the woman who occupies space in both the man’s and the dog’s life. It’s a perspective that I truly treasure.



I learned very early on, that the while the relationship between Jones and Sophie was going to be special, it was also going to be messy…and smelly. Their return to the house after one of their outings together never seems to be without muddy paw prints and footprints all over my floors or the musky scent of wet dog hanging in the air. However, it’s an odour I’ve learned to live with because I’ve seen the two of them sauntering up the street from their river walk: Sophie out in front, soaking wet, tail wagging, looking back every so often to make sure Jones is still at the other end of her leash and Jones following behind, squinting in the summer sun, smiling down at the little dog leading the way. That picture is worth every day smelling of wet dog.



When I think back over their first year together, my thoughts are a string of snapshots over time: the two of them standing on the pier looking out over the water in Port Elgin, a childhood haunt that holds a special place in Jones’ memories; Jones running across a snowy field with Sophie tearing after him during a favourite game of tag; Sophie curled up in bed on Sunday mornings while Jones reads, both cozy and content. I’ve seen Sophie’s love for Jones grow to the point that it’s palpable….she explodes in unequivocal, unrestrained joy at the very sight of him. And I’ve seen Jones, a fairly stoic and objective man, reach for a grip on his emotions in an instant when he thought Sophie might be injured or in pain.



There is a connection, a bond, between them that is very different than my relationship with either one of them. It seems to transcend the gap between species and extends beyond language and emotion. They share an inherent love of simplicity and nature in life, an appreciation of the world around them and of each other. To be able to watch them together, knowing how much they mean to each other, is an amazing gift. Sometimes, when we all go hiking together, I purposely fall behind a little bit and I watch their even tempo as they walk, their ease in each others company and I am moved.