Lonely No More

I'm single. I have been for 4 years. I'm not close to my family and I have no children. I go to work and come home . It sounds a bit lonely huh?

The holidays were the worst. Especially Thanksgiving.

Everyone at work is excited about family get togethers and big family dinners. Its the buzz. t.v. commercials , holiday music, it's everywhere. I always work the holidays. It's a great way to avoid having to say I have no one to eat Thanksgiving dinner with. "Hey what are you doing for Thanksgiving?" Oh man, I have to work. Plus it's time and a half.

After work I would go home alone and drink because I was lonely.

I didn't have any real hobbies.I didn't like going to movies alone. I went shopping and painted the inside of my apartment a few times. I had friends from work of course and other friends I've known throughout the years. But, most of them at our age have families and busy lives.

Then one day a month before Christmas a lady I knew knocked on my door with a Rottweiller puppy in her arms. I let her in my apartment and she handed the puppy to me. He was heavy! He looked just like a little black bear cub. Big brown eyes ,whole body wiggles and a tongue licking my face. I let him down on the floor and he ran around the room in a circle and came back to me.

I picked him up again and held him in my arms. That was the very first moment I fell in love.

I wanted this dog.

Before I could ask she said his name is "Tank" . " He has a brother named "Dozer" and a little sister named "Sara. The other two are sold. I picked this one out for you. He cost three hundred dollars. I know you are good for it. I have to go now, Call me. Bye."

That was the begining of a whole life transformation for me.

That was day Tank became my constant companion.

Tank was enthusiastic about everything. He just so happy to be alive! Everything was fun and everything he saw was a potential toy. Especially socks! I spent the next two days running up and down the stairs to get Tank outside before he peed on the floor. And chasing him around trying to get back my socks!

That was five years ago.... I'm still single today but I am absolutely not lonely. Tank is still with me. As I type these words ...He is laying on my right foot. All 130 lbs. of him. He has matured into a very hansome fellow. He is my very best friend. He is tired today. Yesterday our best friend Lori drove us up to a national park 150 miles from our home and we had a picnic. We were the only people there! Tank got to run all day off leash and we took full advantage of that. We played frisbee, and hiked the trails. Tank entertained us by jumping into a pond and splashing around. It was quite a day.

Tank has brought so much joy and happiness into my life. I havn't felt lonely in five years.