Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them: first pet

Life is full of "First's". The first time you rode a bicycle, your first day of school, your first best friend, and of course your first pet. The bond we form with our pets as children is a special and unbreakable one. It stays with you forever, and in many ways it changes us.

I will always remember my first dog, Ginny. She is what people would call my "Heart Dog", the one that grabs hold of your heart and soul and never lets go, never leaves you for the rest of your life. As the youngest of 5 kids, I literally grew up with Ginny. I hardly remember a day in my young life without her.

MY HEART DOG

I was 7 when that fluffy bundle of joy, a Golden Retriever mix, joined our family. She left us 17 years later when I was in my twenties. Ginny was everything to me; my best friend, my respite from an otherwise chaotic household, and my protector. She always "understood" me. She knew when something was wrong and when I needed someone to comfort me.

You never forget your first dog. My first dog Ginny was such an important part of my childhood.

My childhood dog Ginny, my Heart Dog. I will love you forever sweet girl.

I have so many wonderful memories of Ginny, she was truly a special dog. I know we all say that about our childhood pets, but she really was! She never needed any kind of training, she instantly grasped all the basic commands and never misbehaved. Wherever you went Ginny always remained at your side. She was super smart, friendly, always gave kisses in abundance, and was as loyal as any dog could be. She loved everyone she met and everyone she met loved her! I was so lucky and so blessed to have Ginny in my life. To me she was the perfect dog.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF DOGS

When my older brother and I fought she would get in between us and start barking, like a Canine Referee. We'd have to laugh and stop fighting!

When things got "heavy" at home and I was upset she'd come over and lay her head on my knee or nuzzle me to let me know she was there for me and that it would be OK.

I was a teenager when an Uncle I loved dearly was in the hospital. We didn't know if he was going to make it through a complicated surgery (he didn't), and I was left home alone while my parents rushed to the hospital. I was sitting on a living room chair crying when Ginny came over and placed her head on my knee. She licked my tears away as I hugged her vigorously. She always knew when I really needed her.

Oh, how I wish I had a photo of Ginny dressed like Cinderella that Halloween I decided to bring her Trick or Treating with me and my friends! I remember putting her in a blue Cinderella princess dress from my Halloween costume the year before - Ginny was nothing if not a cooperative dog who only wanted to please her owners.

The neighbors got a kick out of this beautiful Golden Retriever dog who came to the door dressed as Cinderella. In those days, we didn't dress our pets up or spoil and pamper them like we do today. Although, my Mom did make her a bowl of meatballs and spaghetti so she could join in our Italian family dinners on Sundays! Not giving the dog people food that could be potentially toxic wasn't of particular concern back then either. My Father declared Ginny "An Italian dog" because of the way she devoured Mom's meatballs - she made the best meatballs! Living in an Italian household, Ginny probably ingested more garlic than any other dog in the county, never mind that garlic is toxic to dogs!

My first dog Ginny. I was 7 when we adopted her and in my 20's when she passed away. My Heart Dog, Ginny

Ginny loved running free through the woods next door to our house.

Like all our pets, Ginny was a shelter dog, and like many Long Islanders we got her from the Bideawee Home animal shelter. I remember my Dad loading my brother and I into the car to "go get a dog" at Bideawee. I remember looking into the cages and seeing a litter of adorable puppies, Ginny among them. I remember the car ride home and how me and my brother fought to hold our new little golden ball of fur in our laps. I remember the whole family, my parents and my 4 siblings, gathered around this new puppy in the family room brainstorming to come up with a name for her. I don't recall who came up with "Ginny" but it was perfect, and to this little girl she was perfect.

PAW PRINTS ON OUR HEARTS

Ginny definitely had us all at "woof". She captivated our entire family for 17 years. Decades later I still think of Ginny and what she meant to me. It's amazing that after so many years, I can still vividly remember the glorious experience of going to adopt my first dog, and so many of the wonderful experiences I had with her.

I am proof positive that giving a child a pet can be the most wonderful gift of all. Pets can teach a child so much; Responsibility, Kindness, Empathy, and most of all Unconditional Love. I'm filled with gratitude to Bideawee for giving my family the joy of our lives, a Golden Retriever mix puppy who for us was The Perfect Dog.

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