Some people asked me why I spent so much money just to bring my dog with me when I moved to New York from Budapest. As if he were just a dog. As if their life and our bond could be measured in money. I could have left without them, I could have made things easier for myself, but at what cost? A life without them wouldn’t be my life.
So, why am I willing to “give up” so much for them?
I think only someone who has truly loved a dog, and been loved by a dog will ever understand.
We all crave unconditional love and acceptance, but in human relationships, there’s always something you need to give in return to be loved. And that’s why human relationships come with so much pain. Deep down, we all want unconditional love, but between people, that simply doesn’t exist. You have to be beautiful, or smart, or kind, good lover, a good cook, or at the very least, make the other person feel good in your presence. Maybe they love you because helping you makes them feel better. But in no human relationship can you ever truly, simply be yourself.
We all wear a mask, just a little, even in front of those closest to us. And if you’re tempted to roll your eyes at that, ask yourself: When was the last time you said, I’m fine, just so they wouldn’t worry about you? Just so they wouldn’t feel bad for you, or pity you, or ask questions you didn’t want to answer?
I am perfectly capable of making anyone, sometimes even myself, believe that I’m okay. But my dogs… if I’m not okay, they inmediately notice. And they don’t leave me.
Ever.
A dog will never disappoint you.
He will never wake up one morning, caught in a midlife crisis, and decide to walk away from you.
He will never tell you that his colleague is prettier or better than you and should be his owner instead. He won’t cheat on you with the dog sitter.
He will never let you down.
He would protect you with his life, sacrificing himself for you without hesitation.
He is with you in your joy, in your sorrow, in your loneliness, day and night, every single day of his life, if it’s up to him.
He loves you more than himself, more than anyone else in the world.
You can trust him with everything. He will know all your secrets, and he will never betray you.
He is your loyal companion for life, bound to you in a way no human connection can compare.
He will stand by you even at your lowest, when everyone else turns away.
Even when you make mistakes, even when you hurt him, he won’t hold it against you. He won’t judge, he won’t leave, he will just love you, and continue to love you whatever happens.
So the next time you ask, why a dog? Why this dog?– just take a look at your life and try to find someone who loves you like this. Someone who sees you as perfect even in your worst moments, someone who would give their life for you without hesitation.
They are my safe place here. Everywhere, to be honest. My rocks. If they weren’t here, I think I’d lose my mind. They are the reason I’m still somewhat sane. So of course they are here, and of course I was willing to pay a fortune to have them here with me. I will tell you more about their journey from Hungary to the US very soon.
