So if Aslan, the lion, can sing about protecting a baby in this Crazy World, why can’t a Cat sing lovingly about a dog — and mean it?
Ah now, Ted, you’ve really lost us there, you say …
Okay forget the lions and the babies, surely you knew the very first song released by Cat Stevens, nowadays Yusuf Islam, was I Love My Dog, back in the dawn of history, or 1967 to you?
Well anyway, this was the song that came into my head just this morning when I came down to the most fabulous yelping, twitching, and thrashing of tail welcome a jaded, eye-wiping flagging body could ever ask for.
We had only parted just before midnight the night before and here she was, as deliriously happy to see me as if I had been lost at sea years ago and only just thrown up on the beach in front of her this very minute.
Okay, she knows I am going to bring her outside to do her doggy business and then feed her, but can this explain this joy unbound?
What’s not to love about the waggingly wonderful shaggy ball of optimism and smileless, guileless good cheer that is Bella, our wonderful black and white (many) mix terrier?
As the Cat, actually born Steven Demetre Georgiou, if you didn’t want to know, puts it so well:
I love my dog as much as I love you
But you may fade, my dog will always come through
All he she asks from me is the food to give him her strength
All he she ever needs is love and that he she knows he’ll she’ll get
Now Bella won’t help you much if you’re stuck on some higher level abstract mathematical concept, and Gregorian Chant, or indeed any unaccompanied sacred song tradition, is frankly lost on her, but if you want love, good cheer and a practical demonstration of what it’s like to live in the moment, she’s there.
You see you could not consider our family, and how it functions without considering Bella. She is that important, and central to all four of the human lives in this household.
I honestly believe O could countenance, albeit reluctantly, of course, life after Mom and Dad and Sis, but life without Bella — unthinkable. I am sure a silent tear actually sloped down my cheek a few years ago as I listened at the door of the sitting room as O addressed Bella, his eyes inches from hers, and telling her just how much he loved her. Her response to this declaration? A lean forward accompanied by a single lick of his nose.
For myself, she is my morning walks pal, leading the way even when she isn’t sure exactly where we are going. She is that yelping welcome when I come back having been out for any length of time, that last wag goodnight before I retire, and so much in between.
She is my constant and enduring house companion, my sprawling, sleeping lazybones who will instantly spring to giddy, trembling life and bark with delight as soon as I reach for my coat, her lead and rustle for her doggy bags in the drawer.
For K, she is the heart’s delight who growls but never snaps when she is moved from her latest comfy spot for a needed cuddle; her last five-minute snuggle in bed girl before she steps out of bed for another challenging day of school, Snapchat, puzzling friends and shifting enemies.
For A, my wife, she is her greatest champion — there is a noticeably higher decibel level to her greeting from my own greeting when she gets in from work. A constantly marvels at Bella’s ingenuity in uncovering the warmest or the coolest spot in the hoise, depending on the season or the day.
Yes I wish Bella wouldn’t bark at just about every other dog in the park or on the beach, often sniffing their butts for bad measure. I would also appreciate it if she didn’t explore what seems like every blade of grass at the side of the house before she pees, and I’m sure I can think of other things to moan about, but I will leave the last word about dogs to the Cat:
All the pay I need comes a-shinin’ through his her eyes
I don’t need no cold water to make me realise that
I love my dog as much as I love you
But you may fade, my dog will always come through
And, as he concludes even more profoundly
Na, na, na, na, na, na, nana
Na, na, na, na, na, na, nana
I love my …
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EndaStories 
I was utterly heart broken when my dog died, there is something almost other-wordly in the way they are so faithful and optimistic. My mum lives on her own now and her dogs have become her most important companions so in that sense I’m glad she has them. I wasn’t around when that song was penned but we have it on CD so we know it well! #globalblogging
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Cat is the cat’s pyjamas Liberty! Thanks for reading and ciommenting
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Very sweet post! I’ve never owned a dog, but have shared in family dogs and their constant love and optimism.
~Jess
#GlobalBlogging
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Gosh, if you like dogs get one! Make sure you know what size dog you want: our one is the right size for our limited space> Big dogs are cool, but can be a right nuisance in a small space. Obvious but true! Bella is so neat, she can run around the back of the sofa and sleep in the tiniest nooks. Thanks for commenting
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My only pets are my hens but i would have a dog maybe when i retire. they’re such good company and therapy x #dreamteam
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They sure are. We had an amazing labrador when I was young, and then didn’t have a dog until we got Bella about five years ago. She is the business!!
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I believe only people who truly treat their pets as part of the family should have them! Sounds like you have a very lucky dog! #mondaystumble
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Lucky her, yes, but oh so lucky us too. Hanjs for reading and commenting Stephanie
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Lucky her, yes, but oh so lucky us too. Thankss for reading and commenting Stephanie
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I am not a dog person but Chris had a border collie when we met so he is now family and I love him! Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
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Thanks for reading
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I couldn’t live without my Lola, she’s the very best friend I have so I know exactly how you all feel! #DreamTeam
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Yep … although to be fair Bella has a wonderful life… if she knows it. Although I do think she acts very happy! Hope she’s not faking!!!😀
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We don’t have a dog but hubby would love us to get one. Perhaps when the little man is a bit older. Thanks for sharing with #TriumphantTales, we’d love to see you back again on Tuesday.
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I would highly recommend it! Thanks for your comment
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I have been left broken hearted twice after loosing 2 German Shepard dogs over the years, I still have wonderful memories of them and have also written a few posts about dogs#thatfridaylinjy@_karendennis
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Gosh.we will be devastated when Bella goes and the only solution is another dog. Another unique creature to get to know and love’ thanks so much for your insight
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Pets are so important to me. I grew up with many different pets, hamsters, rabbits, cats, even a pair of ducks! We’ve recently bought our twins their first pet, a rabbit, called Snuggles, and I have to be honest, I’m totally smitten with him! Lovely post. Thanks for joining in with #ThatFridayLinky
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Yeah, pets are so important. Even knowing that it’s hard to quantify just how important Bella is in our lives. Thanks for your comment
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Difficult one having pets we always get very attached great read Thank you for linking to #Thatfridaylinky please come back next week
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It’s good to be attached! I think kids learn so much from this. Giving and receiving love. And they will know sadness in it too which is a great life lesson. Also unlike with people we can get a new pet and do it all again! Thanks for your comment
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