Start of something special

“Sam ran up to me, jumped all over me, sniffed and fussed as dogs do. That was that. I was his and he was mine.” PHOTO: BEN WOOLISCROFT

Meeting a friend for the first time made for a particularly memorable occasion, writes Ben Wooliscroft.

There's a memory of one day that always brings a smile to my face, the day I met my dog, Sam.

I was living alone at the time and had room in my apartment, and life, for a dog. There was a photocopied flyer in a shop, ''dog to give away'', with a good-looking dog in the picture. I rang the owner.

Ben Wooliscroft. Photo: Linda Robertson

He was trying to talk himself out of losing his dog, while arranging for me to come and visit ... just to see.

When I turned up at the boatyard where the owner was working on his ocean-going yacht, there was this beautiful, fit dog - definitely some golden retriever in there and the best bits of another breed or two as well. Sam, the dog, ran up to me, jumped all over me, sniffed and fussed as dogs do. That was that. I was his and he was mine. While I talked to his owner, Sam sat beside me.

''Of course you can visit any time you want,'' I said. But, I think we both knew he wouldn't be able to: too painful. When the talking was over Sam walked beside me to the car and jumped in without looking back.

I felt badly for his previous person, but that day I met my best mate for the next seven years. It was the start of a whole lot of best days together. We travelled around the country, made friends (dogs and people), ran (a lot), walked, laughed (yes, dogs do have a sense of humour) and shared our lives until his ended.

I can always think of the simple pleasure Sam got from running on the beach, being in the bush, meeting up after being apart or just sitting together, and I smile. My ''best day'' was the start of something special, but today was pretty good and you know what, I think tomorrow's going to be not bad either.

Assoc Prof Ben Wooliscroft is the associate dean postgraduate at the University of Otago School of Business

• YOUR BEST DAY

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