Meko, the dog who helped me find my way back

A bond formed before getting

Meko, a miniature teckel, is much more than just a pet in my life. He was a constant presence, a source of solace and unwavering support in the most difficult stages of my existence. Our special relationship began at a time of balance, when my life was at a critical point.

Before Meko showed up, I passed through a traumatic medical experience. I suffered severe hepatic impairment, which brought me to the brink of death. I was placed in a medically induced coma for three weeks, while doctors were fighting to save my life. Waking up from this state was not a return to normality, but rather a new beginning, a complete reconstruction of my existence.

The recovery process was complex, going beyond the physical sphere. It was a profound emotional and mental challenge, marked by a strong feeling of disorientation. I was grateful to be alive, but at the same time, I was struggling to regain my identity, to find meaning after all that I had endured. The months that followed were dominated by depression and a sense of disconnection from life. I was trying to figure out who I was now and how to keep going.

A bond formed before getting home

These visits became an event

That's how Meko got into my life. It arrived at a time when I was rebuilding everything from scratch. My boyfriend offered it to me, hoping that a companion would help me reconnect with my life and find a purpose. Looking back, it was one of the most significant gifts I've ever received.

Our story started when he was only four days old. I first met him when he was a newborn chicken, so small that he could fit in the palm of my hand. His eyes were still closed, and he spent most of his time curled up next to his mother and brothers. Because he was too young to be taken home, I visited him weekly for five weeks.

These visits became an event that I was looking forward to, more than I thought. Every week, I saw him change, his eyes opened, his movements became more curious, his personality starting to shape. And, to some extent, I was changing, too. As he grew up, I was trying to recover. When he was old enough to come home, we already had a familiar connection, as if we'd known each other for a long time. It was not as if I had met a new pet, but rather as if I had brought home someone I already knew.

From the moment he entered my house, Meko became an integral part of my daily. Since we weren't working at the time, we spent almost every day together. There were no long separations or complicated routines, just a constant and shared presence. He rarely walked away from me. Morning, afternoon, evening — he was always there. Over time, this constant became a support that I had not realized how much I relied on until I needed it most.

The first nights with Meko are still alive in my memory. Everything was new to both of us. He sat down, then woke up again, looking for comfort. I stayed close, learning him in real time, trying to make sure he felt safe in a new place. I would have stayed...