The managers of the UPS store in my town take their dog to work. I see the dog there most times when I drop off packages.He is a Golden Retriever. He makes more friends in a day than I think I will make in my life. He is sweet, older, and gentle. I usually say “Hi puppy” or something to him and wait for him to smell my hand if he chooses. I don’t know his name, but I love the way he greets me.
The past few times I’ve been there he greets me and stands by me if I have to wait. One day he stood by my side and followed me to the door when I was finished dropping off the packages. He may do this to others as well, but this is a new development in our relationship. His eyes are lovely. He is patient and wants little more than to have attention. I can imagine that he gets plenty of that. On one of my last visits he seemed to not want me to go. He is good at figuring out who might like him and who seems disinterested. He stood in the way of the door. I took a couple of pictures of him and told him I’d l be back to see him again. He stepped halfway out of the way so I could exit.
It occurred to me recently that we have a sort of friendship. Dog friends are different than people friends. They have endless patience. While we go about our lives they seemingly live for us. They want affection and attention. Of course they need us for food and shelter, but if you get to know a dog, they are all different in their personalities and what kind of friendship they want. Some want more from us than others. BUT- most dogs I know are endlessly patient and kind. Dogs do not betray. Dogs accept us for the people we are. I want to be the kind of friend a dog is to a human.
I am so lucky to have my two dogs at home. Like this dog, they are older. Each day they live is a gift to me. I don’t like to think about their eventual death. They sleep one on each side of me as I type this. In total, they both weigh under ten pounds. How such tiny beings can create so much joy and love is one of life’s mysteries I am blessed to enjoy and to not question. I’m grateful for their presence.
SpiritnSoul 