I’d always loved the idea of having a dog. You know, a loyal companion, always happy to see you when you came home, who made you feel like the most important person in the world. So when I finally decided to adopt Rufus, a golden retriever puppy with the biggest, most soulful eyes I’d ever seen, I thought I was ready for all the joy and challenges that came with it.
Turns out, I wasn’t.
It was a crisp autumn afternoon, and I was at the local dog park a few blocks from my condo, clutching Rufus’ leash like my life depended on it. Which, at that moment, it did. Rufus was full of boundless energy, darting from one spot to another, a golden blur against the amber and orange leaves scattered on the ground. I stumbled behind him, my bulky frame not exactly built for sudden, erratic movement.
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