I really haven't spent quality time with Gibbs in quite awhile. I've been so busy with volleyball, school, and work that seeing him is nearly impossible. But with all the stuff happening in my life, he always tries to find a way to let me know that he loves me. Whether it's running up to me as soon as I get home, or scratching on my door to let him in so he can come lay down by my desk, he always shows his affection.
I injured my knee about a week ago so I've been in bed rest for a couple days. Gibbs ran up to me when I got home from the hospital and saw my crutches; he stopped and backed up. He's deathly afraid of crutches since the last time I had crutches it fell on him. He slowly walks up to me and sniffs and licks my brace. He follows me to my room and jumps on my bed. He's not allowed to be on my bed but he just wouldn't get off. When my brother pushed him down, he gets back up and just cuddles right next to me. It's like he didn't want to leave my side, regardless of the fact he knew it wasn't allowed. I finally gave in and let him lay next to me. He kept waking up, even if I made the slightest movement or noise he would check on me to see if I'm okay. When there was a sound from the window or a knock on my door he would bark. He didn't let anyone near me unless he was in the middle. Everywhere I went, he followed. I'd go to the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room, my brother's room, or my parent's room and he'd be right behind me. The only time he left me alone was to go eat or if he needed to go outside, other than that he never left my side.
Gibbs always protected me but not like that. Maybe it was because I was hurt and he could feel that or because I was home more and he got to see me, whatever the reason I can honestly say that it made me love that dog so much more. I was never his favorite but even if I wasn't he'd still protect me the way he did. It made me grow so much more attached to him.
Was his loyalty a result from us rescuing him from the hell he had endured? Or was it natural for him to be as loyal as he was?
My AP English teacher has assigned a project this semester for us to observe a part of Nature; therefore, I chose my dog Gibbs. Gibbs’s breed is unknown since my family adopted him from the Humane Society three days after he was rescued from the street. He had been beaten and neglected before he was rescued by us. I will be photographing him, observing him, and sharing his life with you.
