"He depends on me to live, but I also depend on him to be happy"

PalmaWhen 70-year-old Catalina opens the door to her home, Esquitx is the first to greet any visitor. The little Maltese bichon does not stray far from its owner. It follows her all around the house, sits beside her when she watches television, and waits patiently every time she goes out to run an errand. "I'm going shopping," she tells him, and he already knows it's time to wait. For Catalina, however, Esquitx is much more than a pet. "He is my life companion. I love him madly," she asserts. The relationship between the two has strengthened over the years, to the point that the retiree cannot conceive of daily life without him, now that her children are adults and go their own ways. "I never feel alone. I always have him by my side and he gives me immense joy. Just seeing him changes my day," she explains.

Catalina recognizes that she does everything possible so that Esquitx has the best quality of life. She buys high-end pet food, stays on top of veterinary check-ups, and often prepares homemade food for him as well. "I buy him the best food I can find and many times I also cook for him. I like knowing that he eats well and is healthy. To me, he is one more member of the family," she says.

Permanent attention

Her routine revolves, in large part, around the well-being of the little dog. The daily walks, playtimes, and cuddles are part of a bond that Catalina describes as a constant source of happiness. "When I arrive home and he greets me wagging his tail, I forget all my troubles. It makes me feel loved."

This bond has also become an essential emotional support. Catalina explains that Esquitx has been by her side during complicated moments and that his presence has given her strength when she needed it most. "There are days when you don't feel like doing anything, but he looks at you with those little eyes and forces you to get up, to go out for a walk, and to keep going. He has helped me much more than people think."

Fear of goodbye

That is why she admits there is a thought she tries to push away as soon as it appears. "Just imagining the day I lose him makes me start crying. I die of sadness just thinking about it," she confesses, moved. "I know that animals live less than we do, but it is an idea I cannot bear." Catalina understands that there are people who do not understand this level of affection towards an animal, but she has no doubt about it. "There are those who say it is just a dog. For me, it is not. He is my companion, another member of the family, and he has given me a love that many people do not know how to give."

When she talks about Esquitx, a smile appears on her face, often unconsciously. She looks at him with tenderness while he rests by her side and summarizes the bond with a sentence that explains the relationship that unites them better than any other: "He depends on me to live, but I also depend a little on him to be happy".