Woman's Best Friend

At the end of the last ice age, the hardship of the early humans stopped, they noticed the change in climate to where they could stop roaming the earth in search of shelter and food and began to settle in one place. They created small societies and new cultures where they found it easier to hunt and harvest their own food. Over time, they came out of their caves and discovered the ability of building shelters out of plant material and stones. It was then, that curious animals wandered into these villages. The people became familiar with the animal life around them and as we all do, became attached to them.

North America is one of the places where these early humans developed their new cultures and relationships with nature. Wolves were the most predominant animal in the areas where the villages were built. At first, they were attracted to the villages because of the likelihood of finding left over scrapes of food. The villagers took advantage of this and hunted the wolves for food and clothing.

At some point during this time, the villagers saw an opportunity for the wolves to be of service to them. The villagers gave them the scraps of food they were looking for and let them wander through the villages and become familiar with the humans.

The humans and wolves developed a relationship and found that they could mutually benefit each other and this was the beginning of the domestication of wolves.

Packs of wolves learned to trust the humans and the humans found that they could teach the wolves to perform different tasks that benefited the village. The children played with them, the adults depended on them to protect and defend the village against other tribes and other animals that would bring harm to or disrupt the village and the two species, humans and wolves, began a bonding relationship that would last through the ages.

Thousands of years later, it is the year 2004. My family and I bought our first house. We had lived in apartments before and always said that when we bought a home we would get a dog. We had always been animal lovers but never had the room to keep them.

It was time. My husband emailed me a picture of a dog that was being kept by a man that didn't want her. He only had her because his brother's dog had puppies and didn't know what to do with them. The man did not take care of her at all, he did not feed her a normal diet, only a treat or a bit of human food now and then. You could see her ribs, she was so skinny.

She was only 9 months old but already a big girl, she was half siberian husky and half golden retriever. A golden husky. I had never seen such a beautiful thing.

We decided to bring her home. I went out and bought the best food and treats for her. I bought her toys and a got out a big queen size comforter that hadn't been used for years for her bed. I also bought her a red leather collar and leash which looked stunning against her golden mane.

When my husband and son brought her home, I was elated but a little apprehensive. I had never had a dog. I had always been a cat person.

I was appalled at her physical condition, I immediately gave her food and water. She devoured both as if she had never had them before. I was determined to bring her back to full health.

My son fell in love with her, I named her Gaia. In greek mythology, Gaia was Zeus's mother. My dog was beautiful and majestic, deserving of the name.

Three weeks later, I came home from work to find the side gate open. Someone had opened it and Gaia got out. She was gone.

The next day, I searched every pound website in Los Angeles to see if someone had found her but to no avail. At the end of the day, I was heartbroken. A friend suggested that I call the animal control department of the city in which I live. I called and told them the story crying. The man on the phone chuckled and said that he had a dog matching Gaia's description there in his kennel, red leather collar and all. He was just about to take her to the local pound because she had no license.

I was overwhelmed with happiness. He agreed to hold her until I got off of work. I went to the animal control office and picked her up. We went home together, I gave her a treat and her blanket and a huge hug. It was then that I became a dog person.

The next day, I bought a lock for the gate and got Gaia licensed so if she ever got out again, the animal control department would know exactly where she belonged. She is now five years old, big, healthy and beautiful.

Now Gaia and I are bonded for life. She is my baby and my protector. When I sit on the floor, she will come and lay in my lap. In the summertime, we will go for long walks together and it is the most Zen experience to have at the end of a long work day.

Just like our ancient ancestors did, I share my life with an animal that brings me joy beyond words. I am a proud dog parent.