I have a confession. I'm in love. I want to shout it from the mountains and write it in the sky. I lack such extravagant means, however, so I find simple satisfaction in telling anyone who will listen about the light of my life. Her name is Ryleigh.
I should begin with a description of her beauty. Her hair is thick and soft, which makes cuddling up with her on lazy days that much more enjoyable. The black locks have begun a slow change into shades of gray and white, which I'm told is normal as she celebrates her first birthday.
Before things get out of hand, I should explain. Ryleigh is my Siberian Husky. She was my Christmas present to myself in 2009, and she is truly a gift that keeps on giving.
For months, my younger brother and I had begged my parents to let us get a dog. We promised to purchase it with our own money and to provide every necessary luxury from our own pockets. After countless debates on the issue, we were finally allowed to take to the streets to find a suitable dog.
My parents only set two requirements for our new canine pal before Evan and I left on that cold December morning. First, we had to find a dog small enough to live indoors. This was imperative. Second, we were not allowed to get a Siberian Husky.
We headed out in search of the perfect pup, but the kennels and pounds we visited were only letting us down. Eventually we decided to visit a local woman who raised Siberian Huskies - just to look around, of course. We had very specific orders, after all.
Long story short, we brought our new Siberian Husky home only an hour later. I'm not typically a rule-breaker, but I had a feeling that the benefits outweighed the costs. To this day, I'm convinced we made the right decision. Mom took some convincing, but she has since jumped on the bandwagon, feeding Ryleigh any leftover food and even taking her for walks on occasion. Or, more accurately, Ryleigh takes her for a run, as we commonly joke in our family.
Canine intelligence is a point of pride for many dog owners and breeders. Although she cannot sit on command or shake hands despite hours upon hours of torturous attempts at training, I would argue that Ryleigh's intelligence rivals that of many homo sapiens.
While I was away at school this semester, my parents had quite a scare with her. Typically Ryleigh is kept in her fenced-in lot, complete with her "Dogloo" and all the chew toys she could ever desire. Returning from work late one evening, my father was greeted in the driveway by her glowing yellow eyes in his headlights. She continued to mysteriously escape her lot, despite the fact that it seemed impossible. We suspected that strangers were repeatedly attempting at stealing her, but failing because of her speed and evasion technique.
One night, we found our answer. While taking Ryleigh her meticulously-prepared dinner, Dad witnessed Ryleigh opening her own lot. She was moving the stump we used to block the door and rising up on her hind legs to lift the handle and let herself out. No big deal.
Maintaining a long distance relationship can be difficult at times. I often find myself considering what she is doing in Southwest Virginia as I stare blankly into an empty Word document in Charlottesville. Sometimes I look up to the night sky and find comfort, knowing she is probably howling at that same moon at that very moment.
I try to visit home every few weekends, and I never fail to jump into Ryleigh's lot as soon as I pull into my driveway.
Ryleigh and I have only been together for about a year, but I am confident in saying that I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Or her life, for that matter, whichever comes first. Regardless, I am encouraged by our time together and look forward to many more years of her shenanigans.
Man's best friend? Maybe. My best friend? Absolutely.
Tyler's column runs biweekly Mondays. He can be reached at t.deboard@cavalierdaily.com.
Read More
Fourth-year Bodo’s orders — creative or catastrophic?
By Lizzy Goldstein | 2 days agoWhile this selection of bagels had winners and losers, it is safe to say that the Class of 2024 has taken full advantage of the Bodo’s menu over the years.
The naked party uncovered
By Mia Tan | 2 days agoThe naked party, founded by fourth-year Architecture student Wells Woolcott, is the first of its kind at the University in recent memory.
A second chance to dress for graduation
By Julianne Saunders | 4 days agoI have learned to see my college graduation not as a way to make up for the past but as an event worth celebrating on its own.
