For the Love of Dog

There is something to the love of a dog.

I was watching a homeless man sitting under a highway overpass with his dog the other day at a red light, and got a little choked up. The dog was lying on his side with his head draped over the man's lap, and the man's hand was resting on the dog's shoulder. At one point, the dog raised up his head and licked the man's elbow and he scrubbed the dog's head affectionately. Here is this man who hasn't showered in who knows how long, he's living under a bridge, and the dog thinks he hung the moon.

A dog doesn't know how much you make, what tag is sewn into the collar of your shirt, how many friends you have, or if you haven't been on a date in 6 months. They don't care that maybe you aren't the most popular or very funny. They could give two shakes whether or not you have a great singing voice, sweet dance moves or have the perfectly accessorized home. In fact, they usually revel in the moments when we smell a little ripe or need to burn off some stress and vent. To them, you smell extra tasty and you're talking to them. No questions asked.

There is something to having this living, breathing thing in your home that looks to you for all the answers, without ever trying to correct you, change you or fix you. They know you keep them fed, keep them warm and keep them company. In return, they protect and love you unconditionally. They wait patiently until you arrive home from work, they keep guard while you shower and they eagerly anticipate the moment when you return from slumber with a yawn chock full of morning breath. My dogs are the one thing in my life that I know will never judge, reject or mistreat me. I can tell them my deepest secrets and they'll never tell, they're the only ones who appreciate when I spill food and don't mind sitting in traffic with the windows down.

This is my "What did you hear?" face.

Sometimes I wonder what the world would be if people treated each other more like our dogs treat us. We would accept our differences, live in the moment, love hard and forget quickly. Granted, we'd also sniff each other's butts in greeting, eat shoes for breakfast and drive with our heads out the windows. Even then, I think the tradeoff would be a positive one.

Dogs are more than just pets or animals. They're companions. They're protectors. They're souls. They may leave scratch marks on the hardwoods, nose prints on the windows or the occasional present on the carpet, but they also leave a lasting mark on our hearts.