The beast of love

Don Quixote (Qi Qi for short) is indeed the name of this beautiful boy. He is chivalrous and proud just like the character from which his mundane name was born from. Him and his lovely sister, Lola, were the best of buddies. They would stroll alongside each other, paying no attention to those around, and then suddenly those around would begin to feel a warm embrace. This embrace felt like love and loyalty. No one could or should get between them. But something did.

Death, even though we all know it's inevitable we still choose not to think or dwell on it. But then along comes death with his big ole scary axe, and then he decides to ruin your home and all you've ever known. Leaving you alone and lost.

Qui Qui lost his world. And the good boy he was with Lola (forever a good boy) had to adapt to a life without her. He once loved chasing balls and playing with toys but he now prefers long strolls in the park and peeing as much as he can. Though most days he's like an old man who likes sitting on a bench to watch birds, he occasionally enjoys a good game of ‘ima getchuuu”. You know the one where you are both prancing around like a cat on the hunt for lunch.

Though I've only known Qi Qi for a year through working with his owners, I have grown very fond of him. He loves cuddles and I love cuddles so already that makes us bestfriends. He always gets excited to see you and is always by your side. He makes a great companion and on the days I feel extra lonely he provides me with the warmth I need.

He's also my only coworker. I’m a nanny for his owner's daughter. And he is as dedicated as I am to protect and teach the little girl. Granted he’s also dedicated to stealing her food from her hands. But when nap time is over all I can hear behind me, as I tread up the stairs, is CLICK CLACK CLICK CLACK. And when I look back there he is, Mr.tough guy prancing in the room like he’s her bodyguard. But as soon as the door is open he runs and begins his screeching cry “WOuouiuouhhhyyyyy Diiiid yOooooOoOUuuuUu LllEEeeeEAaaaAVvvVE MEH”. He doesn't stop crying until we leave the room.When the baby goes down for a nap it’s like his world has stopped. So when she finally awakes his emotions become too overwhelming and the only way for him to express his happiness is by crying and prancing around. Though on the exterior he looks scrawny and is very emotional for the ones he loves, he is also fierce like his dragon costume.

Some may think big muscles and showing no emotion makes you strong. But Qui Qui is here to prove people wrong. Though he may be scrawny and quiet, his love is fierce. Despite losing his best friend he continues to only show love and companionship to those around him. He is as strong as his dragon costume because despite his loss and heartbreak he only brings love into the world.

Loss can make us consumed by anger and loneliness which in turn can sometimes make us distant and disconnected from people. Qui Qui has evolved from a dog into the fierce dragon that breathes the fire of love. His fire of love creates a storm around those he loves and becomes a protective barrier from the world. He is forever terrified of losing those he loves again. And though some think his loss has made him fragile, I believe it made him fierce. He learned what most of us take forever to learn. Love fiercely and never take anyone in your life for granted. You’ll never regret showing others your love. But you regret it if you don’t. Go and love fiercely.