A major trigger for me used to be the sound of a dog barking outside heard from indoors. It no longer caused panic attacks after I remembered where and why I had heard that sound before in a frightening way. The barking came from a good and loyal spaniel. My father used to put her outside before he unleashed violence upon us. He caught on that he had to put the dog outside first because she used to attack him when he tried to hurt us. So then the sound of a dog barking outside meant that I was being terrorized inside. I still remember how the same dog who used to go after my father also allowed me to snuggle up and smell its lovely, floppy ears. The dog was nice to me. She tried to help me and she gave me comfort. I'm thinking... maybe I need... an Irish Springer Spaniel? Maybe it could sleep with me and I could walk it and feed it and cuddle it. Maybe it would allow me to smell its ears. Maybe I could love it, care for it and shelter it and it could make the little girl feel safe at night because I would never kick the poor thing out of the house to bark its opinion of brutality against the innocent as me and my household are of the same mind of such a justice-loving creature.

Just look at this lovely being...



This picture melts my heart. I want this lovely creature to be my special friend. I spoke with the hub about it. He's with me. I need to do some research and educate myself about the care of dogs to make sure I am a fit human companion and up to the additional commitment. If I can manage this, you all will be the first to hear the good news. I'm sure it will take several weeks to decide, though. I do not take lightly the responsibilities of human companions.