“Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?” -Mary Oliver
Musical mother duck or pink dog? For an infant I imagine this could be a tough decision. Both so soft and fluffy, but what animal to love? My mother tried to convince me that mother duck was a good choice, but I was set on the pink dog stuffed animal from first sight. Wawow, as I fondly called him, came with me everywhere. When I left him at my grandparents’ house, I almost had a meltdown. Good thing Grandpa sent Wawow back to me the next day. Crisis averted. Then, there was when my parents decided to “preserve the health of my stuffed animal (Wawow had lost a lot of stuffing)” by telling me that the garbage man had taken Wawow. For months I missed my stuffed animal companion. Then, on Christmas morning I raced down to the tree to find the best gift ever; Wawow was perched on one of the branches.
I have loved dogs from the first moment I cuddled Wawow. Unfortunately, growing up my parents deprived my brothers and I of a dog and gave us two cats instead. I soon found that I could love a feline as much, or even more (gasp!!), than a dog. It did not hurt that my cats followed me to the bus stop every schooldays morning, rolled over, gave me kisses, and were excellent cuddle buddies.
Fast forward to present day, and I still do not have my own dog, but at least I get to play fairy godmother to Robert August’s bichon frise and Auntie to a handful of dogs here in Tamarindo. I get to spoil them rotten and then they go home to mom and dad…whoops!
The best part about the dogs here in Tamarindo are their quirky personalities. Each and every one has their own style and it is quite a riot to see the dog pack romping on the beach. They are allowed to be dogs and run free. Talk about a dog’s life.
And by now y’all should know my photo taking obsessiveness. Pair that with my love for dogs, and you get a new line of Samba to the Sea notecards. I am incredible stoked to offer these to y’all. Be sure to check them out in my Etsy shop.
Maybe one day I will get to have my very own dog as well…
Pura Vida,
Kristen
And because I love cats just as much as dogs…
