Pillow is an 8-year-old female chihuahua mix rescue with whom I recently had the pleasure of speaking. She was a bit confused when I first tuned in. Here’s a portion of our conversation:
Frances: Hi Pillow – how are you?
Pillow: I’m ok, why? Am I in trouble?
Frances: Honey, why would you think you were in trouble?
Pillow: I don’t know, but I’m afraid I’ll be taken someplace else like the previous people did. Am I staying?
Frances: Pillow, you are staying. This is your forever home. Your mom loves you very much, so you have nothing to fear. You have a mom, a home, food and love forever. How does that feel?
Pillow: Oh, I am so happy to hear this. Are you sure?
Frances: Yes, Pillow, I am sure. Can you tell me about your life before you came to live with mom?
Pillow: First, I was with a family with little people, [kids] and they kept us outside. Little by little each of us left with other people. I was the last one and they kept me for a bit and then they had to leave so they took me to a place where other dogs were. It was ok as I was fed regularly, but not much else. It wasn’t too long before I went to live with Mom.
Frances: Thank you for sharing your life before you met Mom. Do you like your housemates Molly and Rusty?
Pillow: Yes, they are ok. Are they staying too?
Frances: Yes, honey everyone is staying, just like you.
Pillow: Oh, I’m so glad, I was afraid to get too close in case anyone had to leave. It hurt so much to get close and then never see them again.
Frances: Since you have been with Mom, you had a brother who passed away. Do you miss him?
Pillow: Actually, he still comes around and checks in to be sure we’re all getting along. He was kind of the ruleskeeper and oversaw us all.
Frances: How do you feel about Mom’s boyfriend, Bob?
Pillow: He’s ok as long as he keeps mom happy. I just want her to be happy. She takes such good care of us. Why does she have to leave us during the day and sometimes at night?
Frances: That’s what people do – they go to places like work, shopping, the theatre – places dogs can’t go. She would bring you if she could – but with all of you, that would be a bit hard on her. Does that make sense?
Pillow: Yeah, it does.
Frances: Is there anything you want to tell your mom?
Pillow: Please tell her I love her very much and I am so happy to hear that I am staying. I kind of held back my feelings not knowing if I was going to stay or not, so now I’m all in. Thank you so much for choosing me and taking me home with you. I’m forever grateful. From your forever dog, Pillow. Oh, I like how that sounds!
