10/11/2023
At the ripe ol age of 59 (almost 61 now), I found myself on the another unexpected journey in my life. This adventure was none other than welcoming CJ, my first-ever canine companion. Let me tell you, it was a game-changer, a twist of fate I never saw coming.
Now, CJ's entrance into my world was a bittersweet tale, riding the coattails of my father's passing. With all my family members already swamped with their own pets, there was no room at the inn for our four-legged friend. And believe me, at that point, I questioned whether I could even handle looking after myself, let alone a furry sidekick.
And let's talk about my living situation for a sec: I'd been dwelling in a cramped van for a solid four years (I promise, there's a wild story behind that one), which is far from your ideal home sweet home. To add a little spice to the mix, I was working at a pawnshop, but that gig was about to go belly-up thanks to COVID stimulus checks keeping folks out of pawnshops. With my dad's house hanging in real estate limbo, I took on the role of being a rookie house-sitter and dog-caretaker extraordinaire.
Fast forward to the moment when I got my much smaller, but grateful for a slice of the inheritance pie. It wasn't exactly a fortune, but it was enough to make a move. So, I upgraded to a larger U-Haul-style vehicle for CJ and me. But here's the kicker: turns out CJ isn't much of a road trip enthusiast (some unpleasant and scary stories there too). So, we set our course for a cozy, no-frills spot that I could afford, all while trying to find a new owner for the giant U-Haul.
We've crammed a whole lot of living into these two short years, CJ and I. From life's wild rollercoaster to the simple joys we celebrate together every day, CJ isn't just my loyal companion – he's the heartbeat of our home. It took me a little while to get used to the stability, and yeah, our place is two hours further from family and friends than I'd ideally like, but it's all for the sake of my buddy CJ. I used the money from selling the U-Haul to give him the gift of a safe, fenced-in yard.
Life may have thrown me a curveball at 60, but I wouldn't trade or part with CJ for anything under the sun. He's been my rock when times were shaky and the fountain of joy in my daily life. In his unwavering company, I've discovered the reason to savor every single moment and a love that defies all bounds
