Covid-19 Quarantine can be a lonely time. I had to move my instruction online. I lost my petsitting gigs. I had to cancel my flight east to be with my mother. No more wine tasting. No more dinners with family in the mountains. No more trips with my beloved. While he still went to work, I had lots of time with just the computer.

I don’t have any pets. My dear cat was laid to rest 2 1/2 years ago, and I haven’t had the heart to replace her. But Covid-19 reminded me how important pets are to me. I was growing very lonely very fast.

In April, I asked my beloved if we could borrow his mother’s dog from the sitter. He agreed. So we pulled up (masked) on a Sunday afternoon and Estrella, the chihuahua wearing a jean dress, was handed through the truck window. We intended on keeping the dog for just the day–maybe overnight.

I haven’t had a dog in my life in over 20 years. They are different from cats. They demand a lot more time, their breath can peel paint, and they eat crap (literally). I wasn’t sure how this was going to go.

But then those eyes. A mix of adoration and imploring, with just a little bit of judgment. The beast that wants to spend time with you when the rest of the world cannot. The one who drags you away from the computer to proudly display you as their person as you walk around the neighborhood. The one who falls asleep on your lap while you sit through another Zoom meeting.

Overnight has become months. And I am already dreading when Estrella’s real owner returns and I must give her back.

Now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
I’m in love.