Amazingly, the Dog Followed (On Companionship)

Photo by Adrineh Gregorian

While living in Armenia very few of my friends came to visit. Sammy was among the few that did; his arrival  a surprise, as was his stay of nearly two month

About a month into his visit a group of us were sitting at cafe near the giant outdoor staircase monument known as The Cascade when a small dirty dog came by staring at us with its sweet sad eyes.

I, having a soft spot for street dogs, began to pet it, and like many such animals, returned the affection in kind.

The owner of the cafe, a elderly woman with a pleasant disposition, informed us that the dog, Jessica, had been abandoned by her family when they moved, and had lived on the streets around The Cascade ever since.

Somehow Jessica survived the transition from house dog to street dog.

As we prepared to leave, Sammy, affected by the tale, offered Jessica a deal. "Follow us home, and I'll take you back to America with me."

Amazingly, the dog followed; crossing large streets and avoiding fast cars to do so.

Transit issues made it impossible for Jessica to leave with Sammy, requiring her to stay with me until arrangements could be made.

I renamed her Poshi (dust in Armenian); both how dirty she was when we found her and the color of her fur. Poshi lived with me for two months and was cared for by a number of people who would taker her on walks, feed her, and love her.

When out on walks, she would attract the attention of everyone around her. When I would take her to the market, the young women who worked there would fawn over her, going so far as to ask for one of her puppies (if she should become pregnant).

Eventually the arrangements were made and she was sent to Sammy. He in turn took her to the veterinarian where she was diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live. Sammy, unwilling to accept that prognosis made the effort to ensure otherwise, changing her diet and using holistic remedies to  extend Poshi's life.

Two year later, I returned to Los Angeles and Poshi was still alive. Sammy had managed to keep the cancer at bay, giving Poshi an extended and happy life.

Photo by Adrineh Gregorian

The last time I was with Poshi, she was asleep on the floor nearby in my apartment as I worked on the computer.

A few days later coyotes tore her to pieces...

Poshi was a special animal. You could see it in how others reacted to her, in how she communicated with people, and in the affection she so readily offered.

She is missed.