Most of us have the urge to have a dog, because we thought they were going to be your best friend. I too, had the thought that if I got a dog he would be my friend. Getting a dog never came to mind, as I was savagely bit by one.”It was the best of times, It was the worst of times”, that was what summed up my life from the beginning. This marked one of the worst times of my life; something that just pains me from remembering, but it brought great lessons along with it. Dogs were like a giant wall to me, something that would get in the way.I thought dogs were evil, like they were sent from the dark depths of hell to serve under Satan.

When I got a little older I saw dogs as angry savages, with sharp teeth and would bite at any moment. Our next door neighbor had a big golden retriever who would often be off leash to do his usual morning business, during the time of my commute to school. The golden retriever, Bob, would often come up to smell me when I make an attempt to get into the car. I tried my best to run from my gate to the car, but he would often chase after me. Going into the car was a struggle, an uphill battle that could never be won. Fear would run throughout my body as I thought my life was over, right then and now. It was a struggle trying to go to school sometimes because of that dog, and was hard to accept the fact that there is an animal thats happy to smell and lick me. My thoughts as I was younger was that if humans don’t bite or lick, then dogs shouldn’t either. That struggle eventually became a burden to me, trying to cope with a dog that comes up to me, and it made me anxious and unhappy for the day, like the clouds rolling in during a sunny day.

I often slept over my cousin’s house, but this time was different. Their friends stayed in the city for a month, but they had two dogs. My cousins did not tell me about it, they just told me to sleep over. The two dogs were small, and little bundles of joy. I was slowly introduced to them, and eventually grew attached to them. I owe a big one to my cousins as they helped me learn to accept dogs and welcome them with open arms. They taught me that they weren’t bad things, but were very loving and loyal. The next day I went on walks and played with them. Slowly, I was willing to accept their existence. I realized that they were goofy little people that couldn’t speak, but expressed their happiness and love through their actions. Licking wasn’t that bad, as I perceived it  as their way of saying hello. Little dogs were fine at first, but I soon became willing to accept larger dogs. My fear of dogs eventually disappeared, as I would soon be able to enjoy their presence around me. The uphill battle didn’t seem so disadvantageous to me, because it felt like the hill leveled itself to the ground. My feeling of accomplishment, empowered me to make me more willing to accept dogs, made me question myself to see how my life dynamic would change.

In 8th grade, I had the sudden urge of wanting a dog of my own. My dad was on board, so we decided to get one, a small one. I instantly regretted my decision, because I was completely overwhelmed from the amount of work that was required right off the bat, essentially digging myself a hole.  As days came, I eventually became depressed.  It wasn’t like my cousin’s friend’s dog, as he was friendly and sweet. This dog was chewing on everything, and going to the bathroom everywhere. I thought it was unpredictable when my dog would do his business, and since he could not go out without all his vaccines It was getting to the point where I couldn’t even see the dog face to face without getting anxious. Everytime he did his business somewhere in the house, even after a walk made me even more stressed. I essentially shut out everything and I would hide away in anxiety. My dog and I were very distant for a long time, and it was a struggle staying at home. I would rarely go out of my room, even to use the bathroom. Sometimes I would actually cry because of the stress. It felt like I was suffering immense pain, but without actual pain present. My dad tried to help out with the dog, but it was useless as he worked long hours. I would feel joyous as my dad comes home, as it relieves the thousand pounds off my shoulder from just taking care of the dog, but it would always come back when my dad would leave. I had thoughts of sadness, and marked one of the darkest periods of my life, but that darkness would blow away as my cousins would encourage me to help this dog.

My cousins, who helped me conquer my fear of dogs also lifted the weight that I dreaded to lift every day. They taught me to accept that he’s just a helpless puppy who needed more attention, and delicate care. That, they aren’t just automatically going to adjust to my living style. They taught me to love and respect him, as if he were me. I soon came to realize that he is a living thing, but more importantly, family. I was determined to make the best dog possible. “love him, as I loved you. I, too suffered trying to take care of you, but I know you will turn out to be great”, my mother would always say to me, when I was on the verge of giving up on this dog. I’ve realized something more important, that life is full of challenges, but they are not just there for your failure. These challenges are there to make you stronger. Someone who is willing to accept these obstacles to form a completely new person. My cousins and  are one of the few people who I thank in life, as they have allowed me to gather strength to overcome this obstacle, and to breakthrough the wall that once came in the way of my path to success.