I went out to lunch by myself and ended up on a date with a golden retriever.
His name was Gus. And honestly, he was excellent company.
I was sitting outside with my smoothie when I noticed him tucked under the feet of the woman next to me. She was on her earbuds, getting things done, and he was just lying there looking sweet. I thought he was an older gentleman.
He was four. So apparently I am terrible at guessing a golden retriever’s age.
When his person went inside, Gus became very concerned. Barking, looking for her, absolutely opposed to this arrangement.
I could see his name, so I called him over. “Come here, Gus!”
He came right over, crawled underneath my legs, and stood there with my legs resting against his back. That seemed to make him feel a little more secure. So we stayed like that. I talked to him, kept him company, and tried to make the waiting easier.
And of course, I thought of Casey.
Casey had separation anxiety, too. I knew that feeling of being somebody’s whole world and having them wonder where on earth you had gone when you were literally just inside.
When the woman came back, she thanked me, and we got to talking. She told me Gus was a rescue and about a rescue organization devoted to golden retrievers. We talked about how people sometimes get a dog without understanding how much attention, exercise, and companionship that dog will need.
It made me appreciate the people helping animals find homes where somebody can meet those needs. And the importance of being honest when you need help caring for an animal.
Then she needed to go inside again.
Gus had some feedback.
I told her it was all right. Gus and I could hang. We had already established a relationship.
My salad finally came, and there I was, having lunch with a dog again.
Oh my gosh. That feeling.
For a little while, it reminded me of all those lunches with Casey. Just being outside, having a meal, with a dog beside me. Such an ordinary thing when it is part of your everyday life. Such a beautiful thing to get a little taste of again.
I had been questioning why I was even sitting there. I had errands. I needed to go to Trader Joe’s. There were things I could be getting done.
And then Gus needed somebody to sit with him.
I could do that. I was already there.
I love those little moments when God reminds me that a day can hold something lovely I did not plan. I got to ease a dog’s worry. His person got to step inside. And I got to feel that familiar warmth of having a lunch buddy.
Thank you for lunch, Gus. You were just what I needed.
