Life Experience - The New Love of My Life
We met online. His picture was not a closeup, so it didn't catch my eye right away. I think I must have looked at the list of available males half a dozen times, before I clicked on his picture and read his profile.
His name is Erin. Erin is taken from the Gaelic Eirinn, meaning "of Ireland" or "from Ireland". Although Erin can either be a male or female name, here in North America, Erin is usually a female name. I wondered if Erin was aware of this tiny bit of anomaly.
Erin's profile peaked my curiosity. It seemed that his lady just recently dumped him. He must be broken-hearted, and in dire need of love and companionship. Well, I have lots of love to give. It has been almost six years since my husband passed on. My beloved pet, Jayjay, had passed away three years ago. I'm ready for love and companionship. Erin might just be the one.
I arranged for us to meet. I was very excited and quite nervous. On my way to meeting Erin, I couldn't shake this silly thought. What if he didn't like me? I am a friendly person, but a little weird. Even my children think so. I am very cheerful, but maybe too cheerful. A guy told me once, I was adorable. No, not my late husband. If he was around, he would probably burst out laughing.
And what about if I didn't like him? I would hate breaking his heart at this vulnerable time of his life. His picture didn't look attractive at all... what if he looked worse. Bad looks, I can live with. Heck, I'm not much of a looker myself. But butt-ugly? Maybe not. Even beggars can be choosers, you know.
Erin was waiting for me. To my relief, Erin was not butt-ugly. Actually, he looked kinda cute. I said, "Hi Erin, I'm Rosie. It's so nice to meet you." Erin didn't say anything. He just stared at me. "Is he in shock or something?" I wondered. I kept talking. I do that when I'm nervous. Erin didn't seem to mind. He was a good listener.
We took a lazy walk in the park. I talked; Erin listened. We seemed comfortable with each other. So, I took the chance of asking Erin, "Well, do you want to come home with me?" He looked at me, and I swear, I saw a fleeting smile on his face. Maybe the smile meant "Are you kidding me, lady? Not in a million years!" But I'm a positive person, so I took it as a yes.
When we got home, Erin seemed a little uncomfortable. So, I turned on the music and gave him something to drink. I love listening to Michael Buble, and Erin seemed to like it, too. And when I sat down on the couch to watch the results of the X Factor on TV, Erin quietly sat with me.
That was yesterday. Today, I went to the grocery store and left Erin at home by himself for the first time. When I came back, Erin was so excited to see me. He was bursting with joy. My goodness, you would think I was gone for ages instead of just a few minutes. It was hilarious. Erin couldn't contain his happiness, so he showed me the only way he could. He ran around like crazy and then jumped at me and slobber me with kisses. It happened so fast that I lost my balance and fell. He did something else that surprised me. Yesterday, not a peep. Today, he barked. I was so happy, I started to cry.
As Michael Buble's song "Feeling Good" goes...
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me (and Erin)
And I'm feeling good.
Meet Erin - The New Love of my Life
Erin (now called Snuffleupagos, Snuffles for short) is a four year old Spaniel mix. He was surrendered to the Toronto Animal Services a few days ago, as his owner (a young woman) started travelling a lot and could not take care of Erin anymore. That was Erin's second adoption; it lasted a year. Before that Erin's first owners surrendered him to the Animal Shelter for the same reason; they could not take care of Erin anymore.
I was Erin's third chance to have a forever home.
When I saw Erin at the shelter, he was shivering and looked lost and scared. I would be too if I suddenly found myself in a strange place, with a next door neighbor like Rollo, a big dog, and was barking furiously non-stop. The shelter attendant said Rollo is really a sweatheart, he just not kennel well.
If you are planning on getting a pet, please consider adoption. There are many pets waiting for a forever home. They are waiting for you.
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Comments
What an ending, eh? Better a dog than a guy if you had to take him home at your first meeting! I was getting a little worried for you - what if he was a Freddie? And you didn't have a mace? Well, thank goodness he was a Snuffleupagos.
Enjoy the rest of your lives together!
Aah ~ what a lovely story! :)
"Erin" or "Snuffles"...has done good by having you for an owner. A good story...with a happy ending for all. Voted UP and "Funny"...for your clever take on presenting this tale. Hey, Everyone...Rosie2010 has some seriously "fun" writings!
Rosie, you sure know how to tell a story. You had me goin' at first - you know I thought your new love was going to be a man. I was pleased, nontheless. Vote Up, Beautiful!!
This story of your new dog was sensational, I loved every bit of it, the funny thing was, I was like, yikes why did she take him home so soon while I was reading, and I'm sure many others felt the same.
Great writing technique here, awesome hook, and spectacular climax towards the end with usefulness in mind. Voted up for sure, and if I'm looking for a pet, I know where & who to go to get my advice from.
- AUTHOR
Oh Jackie, I'm so happy to see you, girl friend. I missed you.. most of our friends here on Hubpages are gone. Thanks for reading about the new love of my life. My daughter changed Erin's name to Snuffles, short for Snuffleupagus in Sesame Street. See ya in Google+
Take care and lotsa hugssss,
Rosie
awe, adorable, thanks for posting it. You had me reading from the beginning to the end. Maybe because I kinda knew you I was curious of who this great MAN was in your life.... oxoxoxo
Erin looks adorable and I'm so glad for both of you that he has a new and forever home. Some fabulous relationships start online:-) voted up and funny
Sorry to read that you lost your husband six years ago. My condolonces, unless I misinterpreted your expression that he "passed on" (having initially been fooled as our mutual friend JustaskSusan was, I had second thoughts about what else you might have meant by his "passing on.") Good recounting of your newest love. You may be familiar with the test for "Which loves you most, your husband or your dog?" The test is to shut up both (on a temperate day, of course) in the trunk of the car for about five minutes, release them, and see it demonstrated which one loves you the most! I'm sure that, at least for now, you have the best thing going.
I have to admit, just about the time I was thinking is this woman crazy inviting some stranger to her home, I began to suspect perhaps your date had four legs instead of two. Great story. Lynda
I look at Erin and Peaches comes to mind. Sounds like they are both good dogs in their own way.
Hi Rosie,
Great hub!! Found it awesome and beautiful. Voted up. Erin is so adorable. Cheers
Rema
Your Erin is cute! When I started reading the story I thought you are talking about some man you met Online.
Rosie2010,
Oh! You really had me that time. I was so worried that you met a man online---this always scares me--when someone does this without a background check on the person. Well, anything this hub was just Darling--and your Erin is beautiful.
I voted Up, awesome and beautiful.
Bobbi
Loved this Hub. May you both live happily ever after.
We also adopted a dog last May. Her name is casey and she is the love of our lives.
I blogged about our adoption of casey. You saved another life!
lovely story
Such a lovely story you wrote! Love truly exists in all of it's wonderful ways. It must be so great to have Erin around, spending time with him and feeding him with your love and devotion. It'll all come back to you.
Thanks so much for the HUG on my question! Recently single before Christmas? I am warmed up by it and know time heels all wounds.
Voted up, shared and away!
Cool, awesome hub! I too thought you were talking about a man....dogs are far more loyal and trustworthy...lol. I am a solo parent....but still a dog will be there for you when you are sad, happy or indifferent....they shouldn't run off when you go away either...lol
Oh Rosie, there I was thinking, Inviting him home on her first date- and then he seems to move in with you and you leave him alone in your home- then the punch line- he is a dog!! Great story and I know that you will both be very happy.
cute hub and so glad you found a new love in your life! Very good advice too about adopting a dog - so many dogs and cats need homes. Voted up and funny
Boy did you ever get me on this one!
I was all primed to scold you for moving too fast and to caution you to take great care...until I read that your online love interest barked!
Gotta love your style, sweet Rosie!
Voted up and check them all!
^_^
What a great story with an unusual twist, it shows our presumptions about love...cleverly done:)...it is time to rearrange some things in my household as well it looks like:)
I was thinking this story was going in a completely different direction than how it ended up. You got me that time. Enjoyed reading very much. Voted up and interesting.
Cute story. At first I thought it was a man, but when I hit the part where you just met and took him home I figured it was a dog.
Do you write mystery novels? you would be good at it because you know how to capture your audience attention and hold it to the end. You are a gifted writer Rosie, God bless you and Erin.
Oh, how cute :) Erin is quite good-looking if you ask me! Here's to a lifetime full of love and happiness as you begin your lives together :)
Hi Rose. Loved your hub. I kind of thought it was a dog. He's adorable just like you!
- AUTHOR
Hiya homesteadbound, thanks for reading about the new love of my life. LOL This would never have happened otherwise. But it was fun writing about Erin. He is such a joy, so easy to love. Re 30n30, I will keep on going.. thanks for the motivation. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't even be writing. I had lost interest there for a while.. so thank you so much. Take care and cheers!
Have a nice day,
Rosie
You had me going. I thought you had a man thing going for just a bit. I was surprised you took him home so quickly, after that little smile of his!
This was a good one. Keep going on the 30 in 30!
- AUTHOR
Hiya Fuller-Life, thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed reading my story about the new love of my life and found it beautiful. Thank you so much for the vote up. Cheers!
Have a nice day,
Rosie
- AUTHOR
Hiya writer20, I'm so glad you enjoyed reading about the new love of my life. I am so happy to have Erin in my life. I love him so much already, but I don't think it's even close to the unconditional love he showers me. Thanks so much for the vote up. Cheers!
Have a nice day,
Rosie
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful story. I loved it and I couldn't wait to get to the end. I was hooked. Great job. Voted up.
Your had me guessing it was a man for you. Glad you now have a true friend to keep you company. He is adorable. voted you up and awesome great lady.
- AUTHOR
Hiya Susan, I'm glad you enjoyed reading about the new love of my life. You're right.. for some, even better. It took me a while before I decided to adopt again. It's heartbreaking to lose a pet. Erin is so lovable.. he has an overbite that makes him look ferocious.. kinda cute. He is so gentle and so relaxed with humans and other dogs. I'm so lucky to have him. Cheers!
Have a nice day,
Rosie
Rosie you got me. When I first started out reading your story I thought you were talking about a man lol....What's just as good as a man? A dog. Loved your story. Erin is adorable!
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