A friend of mine came over the other night for dinner. We were sitting outside with the dogs and my friend stepped inside to get something. Petey climbed in my lap as Bub stood guard and as I so often do, I nuzzled Petey’s face so grateful for having these wonderful dogs in my life.
Unbeknownst to me, my friend snapped a photo from inside. When he came back out, he showed me the photo and I don’t know why, but I was so taken aback by the photo. I still am and have been for the last couple of days.
This picture captures so much in a photo. So much more than I will go into detail in this post.
Anyone who follows me on social media knows how much I love my dogs. I would take a bullet for them. I’ve also been surprised at the response from others over my dogs. I hear at least once a day “Your dogs are amazing” “Your dogs brighten my day” “Thank you for posting pictures of your dogs”.
Who knew? I certainly didn’t. But it’s not just my dogs. I’ve marveled over the therapeutic nature of dogs since I adopted my first dog, Coco. I’ve explored “the why” we are so drawn to them. Lack of judgment is my theory. Unconditional love. My dogs won’t ever betray or lie, and they never have malicious intent. Their sole purpose is to love – no more, no less. Who doesn’t need that in their lives?
So back to this photo.
This was a moment caught on camera where I had had a long week. I was exhausted. Mentaly and physically.
Life can be really tough sometimes. For all of us. We all have internal struggles – many of which I’ve written about – loneliness, shame, judgment, grief and on and on. Dogs, though, don’t care about the crappy parts of your life. They just want to be around you. And somehow, when you’ve had a day, a week, a month, a year – they know. They know how to just be with you. They don’t “try” to solve your problems. They just want to love you.
I suppose all of the love my dogs exude from photos and videos, people pick up on. Apparently, this has provided a breath of fresh air for others, which makes me grateful they can be as positive of a presence for others.
They sure as hell are for me, which was so evident in this picture.
What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? 