A sense of belonging

Louis (1995-2010) my introduction to Collie types. I love how he is looking at the camera and I'm gazing lovingly at him.

As I walked with Moss through the churchyard this morning, breathing in the delicious smell of freshly cut grass, I was reminded of why I came to settle here.

One day, many moons ago, when I had Louis, a Collie cross Spaniel, who was the first dog that was truly mine.  I was returning home from a walk with him, when I friend called out from her window,

“Come in - I’ve got something to show you.”

Of course, I was intrigued.  I left Louis outside, it was the olden days when we didn’t always have our dogs on the lead - nor did we have poo bags! 

I trusted him to stay and wait for me.

I went inside, she made me a cup of tea and showed me a litter of kittens that her cat had just produced on the sofa.  With a mug of tea and kittens to entertain us, we soon lost track of time. 

When I went outside again it was raining and Louis was gone, he hated the rain.  On my way back home, which was only about 300-400 meters, THREE people stopped me and asked if I was okay, because they’d just seen Louis on his own. 

I was a new comer then, and so I was deeply touched by their concern.

When I arrived back home, to my relief, Louis was sitting at the gate waiting for me. 

It taught me loud and clear that I belong here in this community. 

Nearly thirty years on I’m still here, and my sense of belonging is still growing, thanks to Louis with his dislike of the rain.

AJK