True devotion

For the last four months or so, every week I’ve written a column, talking about music, art, books … the things that bring me joy, or comfort or inspiration.

Last week, for the first time I couldn’t find a way to write, because last week, we said goodbye to our dog Moog.

He was 15, which is a ripe old age for his breed, but still, it was an awful shock to realise that despite his endlessly youthful exuberance, time had finally run out for our beautiful old hound.

Like everyone who has ever loved a dog, we thought he was the best ever. Joyful, hyperactive, slightly anxious and extremely furry, Moog loved everyone. But most of all, he loved us, with a devotion that was heart-warming, and at times exhausting.

For the last 18 months working from home, he’s been my constant companion, snoring loudly from the couch while I typed away. Unlike me, he was a stickler for punctuality and was often standing at the door of the home office just before 9am, waiting for me to get my act together and get to work.

I miss hearing the clickety-clack of his paws on the floorboards as he came down the hall to check on me, his heavy breathing (like being stalked by Darth Vader) and his endless need for pats. I even miss his early morning wake-up routine, which sounded like a cross between a cat hocking up a gigantic fur ball, and an old man with emphysema.

Humans' love for dogs has been captured in a multitude of ways – movies, art, books, poetry and songs. I know there’s a massive list of dog-loving television shows or movies, but here’s a few to get you started … Red Dog, Marley and Me, 101 Dalmatians, Lassie, The Littlest Hobo, or my personal childhood favourite, Greyfriars Bobby.

There’s dog inspiration everywhere once you start looking. Cartoonists are definitely a dog-loving breed – think Snoopy, Scooby-Doo, Brian from Family Guy, Pluto, Goofy and Fred Bassett. One of my favourite accounts on Twitter is “Thoughts of Dog”.

I’m not a big reader of dog fiction, but I’m reliably informed White Fang, A Dog’s Purpose and A Big Little Life are worth spending a day on the couch with.

In the past week, I’ve been thinking a lot about why dogs are so important to so many of us and have decided it comes down to one thing. Love. We all dream of finding great love, and well, there it is with dogs – selfless, devoted and unwavering love.

In a world that seems to be losing its way, where it’s easier to argue than to try and find common ground, we could all learn something from Moog. He had an open mind and an open heart and found joy in the smallest things … sleeping in the sunshine, swimming at the beach, walking down the road, or just hanging with the people he loved.

I never knew I loved dogs until he came into my life, and when he left, he took a piece of my heart.

As the Fauves sang, dogs are the best people. They really are.