Bad as I'd love to be rich, I'll take the trailer full of love any day.
Our little Border Collie, Buddy, was wild as a march hare when he was delivered to us. Ran straight off into the cedars & only came in to spend the night with his favorite horse. And he'd obviously been severely mistreated by some human in the past. When I'd go out to feed mornings & evenings, Buddy would run back to the safety of his cedars. But gradually, over several months, we'd feel a wet nose sniffing a hand behind us. Maybe a nose in the butt. A month or so after he'd make that difficult first step, he was all ours. I'll skip the few years of peaceful bliss and go right to the point - my Judi became very sick & was in & out of hospitals & doctor's offices for nearly 4 years. Well, little Buddy decided that from then on, the proper care of my Judi was going to be his life's calling. From that day forward, if he got his way, he was never more than 15 feet away from Judi, night & day. The few times we had to leave him at home, he'd cry for the
longest time when we got home. Now I know he loves me. He always puts his chin on my lap & snoozes as we drive down the road. But it was my Judi that he so clearly adored. To this day, the Airstream isn't his very most favorite place to be. But if Judi was there, well, so was our Buddy. Now that my Judi has passed away, Buddy is definately in mourning. He knows she's not here, but can't figure out why. He no longer sleeps in the bed - Momma's not there. What I'm saying is that I've seen what unconditional love & devotion truly is, and one day I hope that same devotion is given to me.
Bottom line? I'd much rather have that trailer full of puppy love than all the tea in China.