9th Together Day

To all of you who asked how I am with Lulu, I appreciate your concerns. You can say, I was once in her position and after the initial realisation that she was going to be sharing our home, and letting her know about personal space, I got over it pretty quickly.

Now I understand how Darcy must have felt the day I arrived nine years ago today. Darcy was curious but was decidedly distant. For months and years, Darcy tolerated and accepted me – she didn’t want me to think that she actually liked me but I knew she did. Even though I was her pesky little brother, she only wanted to play with me when we were in the park. And whenever it mattered, we banded together and fought off any adversaries. We were a unit.

It’s been more than 20 months since that weekend when Darcy left us. In the last few weeks I was feeling a bit lonely. I used to always instigate play with Darcy and as much as she didn’t like playing, we always ended up in a friendly rumpus.

So that’s one of the reasons why Mum was thinking about a companion for me and then one day shortly after, everything fell into place. With a little prodding from Darcy, she knew it was time for another. The rest is (recent) history.

Maybe because I have been there before, it did not take me long to accept this little fur ball into our home.

I will try and be the best big brother and show her that while this big city can be scary (I still bark at big trucks and motorbikes), it is also an amazing place where we get to do lots of things with Mum. And many people in this city love doggies.

So on my 9th Gotcha Day, I want to tell Lulu that just as I became part of a family all those years ago, she is now my little sister and we will make memories together.

May’s comment: Nine years ago, I thought I would lend a helping hand and foster a little black dog from Hunger Hearts Dog Rescue – so that he might have a chance of finding a forever home. But “Bobo” as he was called then had me at “hello” – and a week later I was a failed foster.

George was not what I had planned on having as a second dog. But the Universe knows what we need rather than what we think we want.

In the last 20 months since Darcy’s passing, we went on the road 13 times. Maybe it was me trying to keep busy to not dwell on the negatives. Or realising that anything can happen around the corner, so to make the most of every moment because life can be long, or short.

Our trip to Lisbon was originally planned for September. As soon as I knew I was adopting Lulu I brought it forward, fully aware that Lisbon was to be the last big trip where it was just George and I. He has become such a good traveller and a great companion.

Once back home, we focused on getting ready for Lulu’s arrival. George was probably a bit confused and concerned with the appearance of a crate at our home. On the night of Lulu’s arrival, I was fully aware of his feelings. He sulked and refused to come to me when called. He growled at Lulu a couple of times when she bumped into him – she doesn’t seem to understand personal space. After the first 24 hours, he had accepted her. Walkies, chilling on the sofa together and even sharing a bed – sometimes.

He has demonstrated taking on the role of big brother. The best example was when we’re in a cab. He always needed to sit on my lap. Darcy would always let him do so because she knew he needed me more. But since Lulu arrived, he too realised that she needed a bit more security and he had given up his place on my lap for her. It was a huge sacrifice on his part. And since then, they have learnt to sit side by side when travelling in a automobile. Lulu’s calmness might also be helping George.

They haven’t played together yet, just like Darcy didn’t with George. But he did attempt the other day – but I don’t think Lulu knows how to play – but maybe she will learn.

George has come such a long way. Can’t believe we’ve had nine years of making memories.

As a new chapter of our lives have started, we’re not just getting ready to help Lulu assimilate into our lives in a big city but also – we were opening our hearts. And George has a big heart. He will be the best big brother. And he will always be my best boy.

Happy Gotcha Day, George.