Blessed

By: Adam Andrus

I remember the drive west into South Dakota like it was yesterday. My foot acted as a cement block on that gas pedal. I couldn't get to you fast enough. A speeding ticket would've been a small price to pay for the joy you were about to bring me. Growing up I had a best friend named Danny. He had a yellow lab named Diesel. The bond Danny and Diesel shared was a wonder to behold. They were attached at the hip. Inseparable. That Lab would've laid down it's life for Danny in a heartbeat. I remember the feelings of jealousy I had watching those two, always on little adventures together and getting themselves into trouble. Quite the dynamic duo were Danny and Diesel. Danny always had something I wanted and coveted, a canine for a best friend. I wanted that in the worst way. A poodle or Cocker Spaniel wasn't going to cut it for me. I wanted the best of the best like Danny had. I wanted a yellow lab.

A road trip gives one ample time to think and ponder the inner workings of the universe. I knew on that drive west that my life was missing something. There was a void there that bothered me even on my best days. A very important piece of the puzzle to my happiness was missing and I was on a quest to find it, once and for all. I had a Chocolate Lab back home who I loved named Tori. She was many things and had many great attributes, astute hunter not being one of them. Truth be told she always had more of a fondness and attachment to my wife than me. That was okay. She would much rather be nestled up with my wife on the couch than in a duck boat with me. That was okay too. She was a homebody and enjoyed playing the role of household protector. Her bark is much worse than her bite but bless her heart anyway. I needed a hunting dog and a dog that I could call my best friend, I had waited long enough. Tori needed a companion as well. She needed a friend to run around and play with. That may have been the biggest selling point when I approached my wife about getting another Lab. Knowing my wife always had Tori's best interest in mind may have tipped the scale in my favor. She signed off on it and I immediately went to work researching who might have what I was looking for. I was on a road trip to South Dakota the very next day.

When I first laid eyes on those four yellow lab pups he wasn't the first to catch my eye. He was the smallest of the four and he seemed content sitting alone in a corner minding his own business while the other three did somersaults trying to get my attention. Something told me that maybe taking the relaxed, chilled out pup might be the best option. There was something about him that impressed me. He knew he didn't have to perform somersaults or get into a wrestling match with the other pups to prove his worth or get my attention. He was a quiet but confident pup. When we made eye contact it was like he was telling me that I could take him or leave him, he would be okay and survive either way. I respected and admired that about him. It didn't take me long to make my decision. As the other three pups were performing their show off routines, I glanced over at that little pup in the corner minding his own business and knew he was the one I would be taking home that day.

Some believe in destiny while others call it a hoax. I haven't decided where I stand on that whole destiny thing yet. I believe that the universe will occasionally throw us a gift and we can either choose to accept or reject it. I chose to accept it that day in South Dakota. What a gift he has been. I named him Mac for no other reason than he simply looked like a dog you would name Mac. Simple and to the point. But Mac is anything but simple and to the point. He has been affectionately given the name "Superfreak" by a neighbor. My yellow lab is a work in progress. For those of you who own a lab you know what I'm talking about. Labs take time. A lot of it. They are a test of your patience. I have pondered enrolling myself in anger management classes due to his antics. I have considered taking on a second job simply to support his eating habits. He has ruined a perfectly good grill because he figured it was the best way to jump my fence. Hop on the grill, jump over the fence and stand there and watch as the grill falls over. Brilliant. I climb into bed and suddenly become aware that I am laying in a massive wet spot. Apparently the place where I sleep at night is the perfect place for him to urinate. Washing bed sheets at two in the morning. Not brilliant. His fascination with tennis balls leaves me and those who know him baffled and confused. All my lab wants in life is his tennis balls. Nothing more. If he would take to the ducks and geese like he does those silly tennis balls we could be a killer combo out there. He has no interest. Not yet anyway. He prefers to chew on cattails and bark at blackbirds and swamp bugs when we hunt. Not very conducive to a successful hunt. He has the attention span of a spark plug.

Mac is still young and there is still time to work on him. I haven't thrown in the towel quite yet. I am proud of the dog he is becoming. Deep down in my heart I know Mac loves me more than he does his tennis balls. I watch in proud wonder at his awesome abilities as well as his poor decisions. He is strong and built like a horse. His physique leaves people in awe. He looks intimidating but is as loving and playful as they come. Anybody who knows Mac will tell you he has a mind of his own. He does things his own way, you have no choice in the matter. If you don't like the way he goes about his business he would rather you leave. He is kind of stubborn like that and that's why we all love and adore him. Amid all of life's uncertainties Mac has become the one thing I am certain of. We have the bond that Danny and Diesel shared, if not stronger. He is my best friend and my companion in the truest sense of the word. He is as much a part of me as I am him. The bond we share with our dogs is just as deep and powerful as those of father and son or best friends. I need Mac as much as he needs me. We have that understanding and I believe we both cherish it. As I write this the Superfreak is laying here with his head on my lap snoring up a storm. Content and at peace. As it should be. People often ask if I realize how blessed I am to have this dog in my life. To them I say blessed is a major understatement. (please enjoy one of mac's many talents)

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