I read something online the other day that went like this: What if the light you see at the end of the tunnel is you coming out of the birth canal into your new life?
Believe me when I say I'm not trying to get philosophical or spiritual. I found the quote interesting and I've said MANY times before that Kyla was a free spirit, so to speak, in her previous life. A free spirit with four legs and a tail.
I'm not putting my daughter down by finding the similarities between her and her favorite animal. Instead, I'm offering insight into her behavior and yet another reason to love her.
Kyla is and always has been a magnet to animals. Several times a day, I have to remind her to leave them alone so they can rest. No matter the consequence, she'll take it if it means she can snuggle with her friends for one more minute. She is a dedicated animal lover who feeds, pets, brushes and plays with her dogs. She attempts to entertain the cats but they tend to scatter when she comes bouncing around. In my mind I see the little girl in "Finding Nemo" who runs into the dentist's office and all the fish hide. Was her name Darla?
This past Halloween, Kyla was nothing other than a dog. A cute Dalmation at that! I heard during her first semester at school that she would sometimes crawl around on the floor and pretend to be a dog. No other children followed suit. When we go to the lake, her excitement over water and sticks is hard to contain. It's not unusual to see her with a stick in her mouth. I began to wonder how she would like to take a car ride with her head out the window. She recently asked me if she could go to the bathroom in the grass.
Admittedly, Kyla's best friends are her dogs. She would rather take them outside and play for hours on end than do anything else. She likes to run and hide and call for them and, yes, they do come running...each time. On a hot day, Kyla can be found hanging out under a shade tree using one or both dogs as a pillow. Wherever she is, you can bet there's at least one trusty friend at her side.
For indoor fun, Kyla loves to dress up as a Veterinarian and "fix" her friends. Her companions have no problem with the mountain of tests she runs and velcro bandaids on each paw. If she plays restaurant, she makes dishes for each pet. Just the other day, she drew pictures for each four legged member of our family.
Kyla has a keen sense of what the dogs need. She speaks to them in a way that warrants their attention and affection. The bond that I have seen between her and our shepherd mix is amazing. He follows her around inside and out and will take a break from playing to make sure his human counterpart is safe. I believe she was much like him when she was a canine.
Most of Kyla's wardrobe has an animal on it. Those are known as her favorite shirts. She can often be seen wearing her dog-eared headband both in the house and while running errands. I won't allow her to wear a dog collar, although she asks me often. She is more comfortable rolling around on the floor and in the grass than sitting in a chair. She is most expressive through her eyes. Simple directions are all she can tolerate. Her good dreams involve her being an animal, more so a dog. Kyla has asked me repeatedly, since she could communicate well, when she will be a dog. I always tell her whenever she closes her eyes, she can become anything she wants.
Whether she was or she wasn't, there's no denying her mutual attraction and likeness for the breed. I love to see her passion and will continue to nurture her love for all animals. I'd like to think her devotion will carry her far in time to come. What I see for her future is this: living on a farm of some sorts where her many animals can run freely and protected, a job that entails the care of animals, and a partner that shares her dedication. My daughter is truly happy in the presence of a dog and I couldn't be any happier for her.
Woof! Woof!
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