Irecently stopped at a rest area along I-64 and saw a heartwarming sight.

A man was on a bench with his dog. The animal was both animated and beautiful, with shiny fur and bright eyes – the kind you want to hug and cuddle! Mr. Dog was enjoying being with his Dad, but was looking in the direction of the restrooms.

I made an educated guess that Mom was inside. I was curious how Mr. Dog would react when she exited the building, so I slowed my pace a bit, hoping to catch his reaction.

Well, fortune smiled on me, because almost immediately a woman came through the doors. By the way she smiled in the direction of the man and dog, I knew they were all together. The dog, though…I sure wish I had it all on camera. He watched the woman approach from afar, unsure but hopeful. I could see the exact moment he knew it was Mom. His face was absolutely joyous, and his whole body was wriggling with excitement.

He started jumping in place, because he was too happy to remain connected to the ground. Then he turned around to tell Dad that Mom was coming, oh boy oh boy oh boy! If Mr. Dog had closed captioning that I could read, it would have gone something like this: “I sure do miss my Mom.

Life is soooo lonely without her. I love Dad, but Mom is the best. Where are you Mom? It’s been forever since I last saw you. Mom oh Mom oh Mom. Wait… who is that…could it be… it is!!! Mom Mom Mom…I see you Mom…walk faster so you get here sooner…you were gone an eternity! Dad Dad Dad…do you see who is coming back to us…it’s my MOM…so exciting… Mom Mom Mom…I can’t stop wriggling Dad! MOM IS COMING!

Finally (in about 6 seconds) they were reunited.

Mr. Dog was just ecstatic.

I was laughing, because I knew by the nature of Mom’s absence that she hadn’t been away for more than 5 minutes. But to the dog she’d been gone forever, and his actions proved it. So funny. And then… Dad turned over the leash to Mom and went into the restroom. The look on Mr.

Dog’s face immediately changed to utter despair.

“Mom…Dad just left us… what will we do now that he’s gone…I’m soooo sad… Will he ever come back? My life is empty…I love Mom, but Dad is just the best.

Where are you Dad?”

By the time I exited the restroom myself, the trio was gone, so I didn’t see their joyful reunion when Dad came back. But in my mind I knew exactly how it went. I’m still chuckling about it, days later. I love my cats, can read their emotions, and know how they will react in any given circumstance. They love me back and show it in their own ways. But dogs show emotion on a whole different level, for sure. And it gave me joy to experience one dog’s range of emotions on a sunny afternoon in a Virginia rest area.

Laura lives in Zion Crossroads with her husband and two cats. Hallie and Bella do not approve of this column. Laura can be reached at hallielaura@gmail.com.