Buddha and I have a long (for lack of a better word) eventful history. Our previous dog passed away a few years after our kids moved out of the house. My wife wanted another dog. I was hesitant, thinking now was the time for freedom from responsibility. Foolish me to fight that fight. We soon got Buddha and unlike our previous dog, who loved everyone, Buddha was clearly a one person dog. That person was my wife and they were inseparable. The more time they spent together the more he became strangely possessive of her; it was clearly a romance… sans me. To Buddha, I was the unwelcome intruder. Then my wife was sadly diagnosed with a fatal disease. He stayed by her side night and day for fifteen months as if hoping he could make her better. Unfortunately, he could not. Her passing was tragic for our family, but an odd thing happened with Buddha almost immediately. He actually started coming to bed with me. He now allows me to take him on walks, and he likes being by my side! I find myself wanting to take care of him and making sure he gets what he needs, even wants. As Buddha and I evolve, I find myself pondering that famous line in the movie Casablanca – in question form – Could this be the beginning of a beautiful relationship?