When my grandmother passed away, my grandfather was left all alone in the quiet of their home. Every time I visited, he was by himself, always insisting he didn’t want anyone to move in. So, one day, I decided to bring him a little dog I had rescued from the street.
He named the dog Chirulin, and from that moment, they became inseparable. They spend their days together sunbathing, sharing meals, going for walks, and watching TV side by side. A simple friendship that turned into something truly special.
Not long ago, my grandfather fell ill and had to stay in the hospital. During that time, he wrote me a letter with detailed instructions on how to care for Chirulin in case he didn’t make it. He even included the recipe for the soup he makes for his furry friend. Reading that letter, I couldn’t help but wish he had also left me a recipe for how to live without him.
He made sure the whole family knew that Chirulin was now our shared responsibility. Yesterday, when he was finally discharged, we took Chirulin to see him. The moment he saw his little companion, he hugged him tight and said, “We need to hurry and do all the things we’ve planned, there’s not much time,” then laughed like a child.
My grandfather has a list of adventures he still wants to share with Chirulin. You can see the love between them in the way Chirulin looks at him, as if saying, “I’m right here.”
To anyone who says, “It’s just a dog,” I say this: animals are gifts for the soul. They teach us patience, kindness, and what it means to truly love. Because love, real love, doesn’t divide. It brings hearts together.