That year, my life was at its lowest point. The stress of unemployment and the pain of a breakup made me feel like I was covered by a dark cloud every day. I felt so hopeless that I didn’t even have the energy to step out of my house.

One evening, as I was walking out of the subway station, feeling lost and tired, I noticed a middle-aged man squatting by the roadside near the exit. Next to him was a metal cage, and inside it was a fluffy little golden retriever. It was softly whining, its eyes full of helplessness and pleading. I stopped in my tracks and looked into its wet, shiny eyes, and something tugged at my heart.

“Are you going to buy it or not? If nobody buys it, I’ll sell it to the dog meat restaurant,” the man said casually. His voice wasn’t loud, but it struck me like thunder. I hadn’t planned to buy a dog, but the thought of this little puppy being slaughtered made my heart ache. After some bargaining, I finally bought it for 500 yuan and brought it home.

I gave it the simplest name, “Erzhu.” In China, we have a saying: “A humble name makes for easier survival.” At first, I had no experience with dogs and wasn’t even very interested in keeping one. But I knew dogs needed to be walked daily, so I had to change my routine. I started waking up early to take Erzhu for walks. In the beginning, I felt forced to do it. I would walk with my head down, while Erzhu followed me, wagging its tail, curious about everything around us.

Slowly, I noticed my life starting to change. In the early mornings at the park, the air was fresh, dew sparkled under the morning sun, and the trees and flowers glowed golden in the light. I began to enjoy this peace and beauty. Soon, I started waking up early on my own, taking Erzhu for runs. Over time, I became healthier and gradually found my rhythm in life again. At the park, I met more people and made new friends. Erzhu, with its warmth and cuteness, always helped break the ice between me and others.

Our favorite days were sunny ones, where we’d play and chase each other on the grass. Whenever I was in a bad mood, Erzhu would gently nudge my hand with its wet nose or lie quietly beside me. That silent comfort was powerful and heartwarming.

Looking back now, I realize Erzhu is not just my pet; it’s my friend and family. Its companionship pulled me out of the darkness and helped me love life again. Pets are more than just animals; they are pure love and guardians of warmth in our lives. Erzhu is my light, my family, and my forever companion.

Later on, I decided to explore a broader world, which brought me all the way from the distant East to the Netherlands. Unfortunately, Erzhu couldn’t come with me, and I often find myself missing him. However, I was lucky enough to have a kind PhD senior who frequently travels for academic conferences. She often entrusted me with taking care of her little cat, which not only gave me some companionship but also helped ease the discomfort and loneliness I felt when I first arrived.

If you ever need to be away and require someone trustworthy to care for your beloved pet, I’d be more than happy to help!