According to the Urban Dictionary, the phrase “road dog” means “close friend; a traveling companion that one is most often seen with; a person going with you during your travels.”
Example for using it in a sentence: Guy#1. hey are you going to the national hobo gathering? Guy#2. nah man I'm waiting for my road dog to get out of jail.
I’m waiting for my future road dog to get out of jail too, though in her case it’s a dog shelter in Long Beach.
I met her at a pet adoption fair last Sunday and was compelled to hold her. She was so calm in my arms that I almost started crying. When I got home, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. The next day I emailed the shelter lady to inquire about adopting.
But am I getting her for the right reasons? And am I a suitable mom? Several things worry me.
1. I’m still grieving my late husband. Every day this week I cried on the way to work, and before going to bed. It felt as if he died a few weeks ago, not 17 months ago. I’m not like this all the time (anymore) but these sudden waves still catch me off guard.
2. I’m a writer who needs her space. Will I still be able to write with a puppy around?
3. I’m actually not allowed to have pets in my building unless it’s a service animal. My therapist is going to write a letter saying I need an emotional support animal (ESA), so we should be okay (unless she barks a lot or bites someone).
4. Do I have enough patience? Patience has never been one of my strengths, though I do feel like I’ve grown quite a bit in the last couple of years.
5. Am I prepared to commit to someone again, knowing that her life will be in my hands and one day I will feel the pain of losing her?
6. Will she like motorcycles?
I suppose time will tell. All I know is I miss having love in the house. I miss taking care of another, and I'm tired of thinking about myself (or the past) all the time.
This is a picture of my future road dog, Ruby. She’s the one with the white face, cocking her head at camera. Maybe one day she'll be riding in a sidecar, wearing goggles, her little ears flapping in the wind.
