A couple of months before Minjay's fifth birthday, he had to have knee surgery. It was heartbreaking; there's no other word for it. The first few days, when he was hurting and confused, I didn't know what to do since I couldn't help beyond providing him his medicine. So I would just sit with him on the floor, as close to him as possible. And it was enough. He would wag his tail ever so gently. It was a soft sweep on the floor really because he was so tired and couldn't move, letting me know he was grateful. That was all it took, just being next to him on the floor.
Ever since then, my favorite spot to do my work is on the floor next to him. Or, after a long day, I just lie down on the floor and pet him quietly while he wags his tail. He's shown me that the greatest gestures of love, and of friendship, are often silent, and we don't really need much more than being right next to someone we love.
