We sure do love our dogs, don’t we? But do they love us back? As we ponder that question and consider the incredible evolutionary journey our pets have made from wild and free to domesticated and subservient — with us humans orchestrating that transition — it seems clear that we have created a mutually beneficial relationship. I am fascinated with how that reality came to be, especially since some cultures have actually worshipped dogs while others fear dogs and would never consider any mongrel as a “pet.”
And letting them into our homes, onto our furniture, into our beds? Good grief, what’s wrong with us? As for me, I am a dog fanatic, and I know the names of more dogs in my neighborhood than I know the names of their owners. I also love the saying, “Everybody says their dog is the best — and they’re right.”
As you read through the animals-themed June issues of COMO Magazine and COMO Business Times, it’s likely that some of our stories will strike an emotional chord. Perhaps you will be reminded of the dog, cat, hamster, guinea pig, mini-rex rabbit, lamb, or other little animal that you once called not only “pet,” but also considered to be a member of your family.
My bride and I celebrate our 42nd anniversary on June 5. Certain eras or periods in our life together are connected to memorable fur babies that shared our lives. Top of mind is the best little girl Cindy Lou, the Boston terrier that brings tears to my eyes even as I write this — though New Year’s Day 2025 will mark 20 years since she died in my arms after a series of seizures. Cindy was, simply put, The Best Dog Ever. Cindy and her sidekick Jessie, a black, long-haired chihuahua/dachshund mix, who lived almost 16 years and stands on the Best Ever podium with Cindy, defined our parenting years.
We’ve had other great dogs, but Cindy is the standard bearer for “best.” A few fur babies came close to stepping onto that lofty pedestal with her and Jessie: Black Lab brothers Fierce and Freddy, and Lexi, a gone-too-soon tiny Maltese who was the alpha to Fierce and Freddy.
But now it’s time to officially elevate two others to Cindy and Jessie’s status: Izzy and Maverick. Izzy is a teacup Maltese and Maverick is our grand husky. They are both rescues and are The Best Dogs Ever. They’re pictured here along with Abby the Goldendoodle who, by the way, was purchased for a princely sum. (Not a rescue.) Look, I’m not afraid to call the baby ugly (but only in private), so I’m at peace with telling you that my shadow for 11 years — Abby — is still a few leash lengths short of Best Ever status.
Back to the original question: Do our dogs love us back? I’ll send you the citations on request, but the research-driven answer is “yes.” But now I wonder: how many of them would consider us Best Ever among humans? Chew on that for a while.
Finally, join me in welcoming a few new names among the bylines in this month’s publication: Rachael Abney (“The Taxing Truth” about local sales taxes); Scott Cristal (the first of a three-part series profiling The Shops at Sharp End); Mary Kate Hafner (a profile on nonprofit Unchained Melodie’s Dog Rescue); and Natasha Myrick (writing about how to rehome your pet.)
Oh, and full disclosure. Natasha is our daughter, and Maverick’s dog mom. I know that as she read this and thoughts of Cindy flooded her mind, her eyes flooded with tears. Then she gave her handsome boy Maverick the biggest hug ever.
