OUR PETS
Ringo and me — a package deal
BY HANNAH SHILLO ILLIANA MAGAZINE
I
got my dog right before I started my second year of college , and not to be dramatic , it was the best decision of my life .
I knew from the moment I laid eyes on my little four-pound , eightweek-old baby Ringo that we were going to be the best of friends . I mean , how could we not be ? It ’ s been said dogs are a ( wo ) man ’ s best friend .
Fast forward five years later , and that is exactly the case .
My pomeranian , chihuahua and terrier mix — yes , I ordered a doggy DNA test — has been with me through every step of my transition from college student to full-fledged adult .
When I transferred from Danville Area Community College to a fouryear university , Ringo came with me . My college roommates adored him ; he was “ our ” dog .
When I graduated from that university , Ringo walked across the stage with me to get my degree . OK , not really . I didn ’ t even get to walk across the stage because of the pandemic , but if I did , I would have been tempted to bring my sidekick with me .
After all , he was the pup who stayed up all hours of the night with me near the end of each semester when I was catching up on my schoolwork to secure a passing grade for each class . ( Good things come to those who wait , right ?)
He woke up early with me and kept me company while I wrote papers that were due the same day , which was something I did often .
Sure , he ’ d guilt trip me with his puppy dog eyes for not grabbing a toy and playing with him because I was busy with school , but I knew he was still just happy to be near me .
After nights out with friends , he would lie around with me all day as if he ’ d gone out with us , too .
He ’ s still with me almost all of the time , unless I ’ m at work . I ’ m thinking about getting him a bed to keep near my desk in the office . He could be the official greeter for the Commercial-News .
When I ’ m not working , we are out at the park adventuring on trails or driving around town so he can feel the wind on his snout .
My family jokes that Ringo is my shadow , and I can ’ t disagree with them . We are a package deal .
He ’ s my baby , my best friend , my soul-dog . I could go on about him forever !
He ’ s the softest , cuddliest dog I ’ ve ever known . When someone pets him for the first time , every single time without fail , I hear , “ Oh my gosh , he ’ s so soft !”
He ’ s smart , too , and knows all kinds of tricks . My favorite trick I ’ ve taught him is to give hugs . When I ask for a hug , he very gently stands on his hind legs and places his front paws on my shoulders . My heart melts every time .
Don ’ t let him fool you , though , because he ’ s also a fantastic guard dog .
Getting a dog when I was 20 years old was the greatest decision I ever made , and I can only hope that others get to experience the same love with their pets as I do with Ringo .
Dogs , or any pets , are such special members of our families . They ’ re loyal , loving and entertaining .
They are always ready for an adventure at a moment ’ s notice , too , as long as they ’ re with their human .
16 ILLIANA MAGAZINE — SUMMER 2022