Valentine

Happy Valentine’s weekend! (Monday counts as a part of my weekend — I work at a bar, give me a break.)In the theme of the holiday, I wanted to talk a little about someone I love. Someone who has been there for me and will continue to be there for me. Someone who has helped me grow — and I know I’ve helped them grow, too.

I’m, of course, talking about Archibald. My dog.

I always grew up with dogs, so I knew in my adult life I would want one. But as I’ve been living and growing in Colorado, I started to realize more of what my “adult dog” would entail. This would be the first time I owned a dog on my own. All the training, all the bills, all the responsibility would fall on me. That’s not something I took lightly.

As I settled into my bartending job, I started to realize the time might finally be at hand. I was earning enough money to live, and I was doing it working just three nights a week. This meant I had no excuse not to train a dog, take him on walks, or spend real time with him during those early training years. Things were starting to look right.

Flash forward a couple of months and I find myself looking for a new living situation. My friend was in need of a new roommate, and his house downtown was right in front of the dog park. I mean his front yard was the dog park. It felt like a good sign. (Oh, did I mention this friend is Nick — one of the other members of BRiNK — and that it also happens to be the house we record all of our music out of?)

So things lined up. I moved in. Nick had no problem with me getting a dog… It was go time.After a few more months of Nick and me cleaning and preparing the house — and me looking at adoption websites every day — I finally found a dog to go look at.Which wasn’t even Archibald.

The first time I saw him was actually at the adoption center. I visited the dog I originally came to see, but when I met Archie, I just knew.Now here we are, about a year and some change later, and he is the best dog I’ve ever owned. Archie has continued to challenge me in so many ways. Beyond just the responsibility of it all, he’s taught me a lot about myself — about love and care for another being.I think when getting a dog, this is something I already knew deep down.

Archie is my boy. He doesn’t judge. I don’t have to overthink. I simply have to show him how much I love him and want to spend time with him — and do my best to teach him and raise him well. And I think there’s a big part of me that wanted to feel that kind of love.

On a holiday that’s all about it, let me just say: that love has been one of the most rewarding parts of my entire last year.So I hope, in your own way, you have something — or someone — you’re able to reflect on and feel grateful for. Someone whose influence on your life makes you happy.

– BRiNK, Feeling in love