Loyalty
Yesterday I took Maude for her morning walk. I usually take her to the Starbucks around the corner and then we walk to St. James Park where she gets to wet her feet on the moist grass and smell whatever she wants.
For some odd reason Keith intercepted us before we made it to Starbucks and Maude, having been nursed by Keith during her surgery, has a deep affection for him, more than for me, I can admit it.
She was excited to see him and was jumping up, and down and all three of us went to Starbucks together. Keith and I tied her to the pole outside and went inside to order our coffees. Maude sat patiently, as she always does, until we returned.
Keith of course had to go to work. The problem is that Maude does not react well to watching Keith leave so we devised a plan where he would “disappear”, but she is not a dumb bitch.
With Keith gone I tried to drag her, literally drag her, to complete our regular routine, but she wasn’t having it. I had to explain several times to people on the street why she was resisting because they couldn’t stop staring.
I made it to Jarvis St. and realized that this walk was not going to happen. I let go of the leash and let her lead. Well, she ran all the way back to Starbucks and sat at the front door, because she thought that Keith was inside. She waited for him patiently, and wouldn’t give up hope that he would reappear.
It broke my fucking heart, you have no idea. I didn’t know how to tell her that he wasn’t coming back. I then had to proceed to drag her all the way back home, where she sat for the remainder of the day on the balcony, moping.
There is nothing more pure than a dog’s loyalty. We could all learn a lesson.
I possess great compassion and seek to be of service to others. 
