I remember in my early twenties when a guy from the old neighborhood I grew up in came up behind me in the 1990’s and uttered, “You Love animals more than you love people”.

This was after news had gotten back to him that I had told a small crowd of guys on a street corner one night how ugly they were.

These guys used to act silly and harass me because I would not date them, so I had to put them in check.

Anyhow, the guy who came up behind me heard about the incident and called me a bitch.

He was looking for a reaction because usually the average female would get offended by this word, which, in my opinion, has no meaning unless one decides to place value on it.

If anything, I took “bitch” as a compliment even though he meant it as an insult. I was never the average type of female anyhow. I was very unique in many aspects.

When this guy saw that I did not respond to the word bitch, he knew the reason was because I did not care.

So, the next time he approached me it was about the regard I had for animals, as he would observe the moments, he saw me share in the neighborhood with my dogs.

He was correct. In general, I did care for animals (canines) more than I cared for people- and with good reason!

My two favorite individuals in the entire world were my mother and one of my dogs named Brandie.

Dogs are easier to like or love than most people. I am one who did not love easily to begin with, as I know the true definition of love.

Love in any instance should and has to come naturally.

There is a circle of few I call and who are true friends. There are even people around me who are good and trustworthy.

However, my mother and my dog are the ones who knew me best and who I both consider my friends for life from here on earth to beyond.