.Man's Best Friend.

I have two dogs and recently have been battling some potential orthopaedic issues with my youngest, Finley. We went to the vet today where they poked, prodded, pulled, pushed, and ultimately spent 2 hours handling my dog...all for good reason...and he sat there, tail wagging, almost smiling, tolerating every moment of it. He'd lay down, they'd make him stand up, we walked the length of this hallway at least 25 times, he'd get tired but keep on going, he'd think the end was near and then they'd pull on his hind legs, push in his joints, and he stood there, tail wagging...licking them....loving them. The power of a dog never ceases to amaze me. You cannot deny that there is a bond between an owner and their dog. Finley would shoot me glances, I'd reassure him that this is all okay, that he's okay, and he trusts me enough to know I wouldn't bring him somewhere that wasn't necessary or put him through anything that I thought wasn't worth it. These dogs of mine have loved and trusted me with more conviction than anyone or anything else in my life.

Let me tell you something--Maya, my oldest pooch, got me through the rough days. I got out of bed in the morning because I knew she needed me....she needed to be let outside, walked, and fed. She got me out of bed in the morning and I held her tightly at night. I can't tell you how many times I've cried into that fur....sobbed...and she just laid there for the whole thing, never flinched, and remained my soft spot until I was through the worst of it. She greets me each time with an excited, yet calm, love....she knows me well enough to know when I'm feeling my best and when I'm just needing a soft place to land. Maya is my rock and constant and I can tell you that this last year would have been harder without her.

Then there's Finley....who came to me when I needed him the most--Christmas....6 days before. This bundle of love and excitement wrapped into one little 12 week old, 16 pound puppy. He distracted me enough to get me through the holidays and came to me with a lot of kisses, cute faces and, well, needing direction and guidance. :-) He makes me laugh and his goofy little self always makes me smile. He greets me with excitement and pouncing, not on me, but next to me, and you can see in his face how happy he is that he gets to live here, with me.

These dogs have never gotten in an argument with me. They have done some naughty things but when scolded, they don't fight back. They have loved me even when I'm exhausted and over-react or when I am drained at the end of the day and even though they want more of me, they deal with what I can give them. They never ask for anything and are content to be fed and provided a soft place to sleep. They never tell me I should look a certain way and they have never judged any decisions I have made. They have loved me when I roll out of bed in the morning, when I get dressed up for a night out, when I am lounging in sweats without makeup, and especially when I'm pulling my Puma's on for a walk. They will sniff their butt, your butt, and everyone else's butt and then lick your face...they will roll in mud and then put their dirty paws on your furniture....they will chew your favorite shoes and bring them to you as if they should be rewarded....they will run away, send you on a wild goose chase, then come home and wonder what took you so long to find them....they will bark and bark at the stupid squirrel climbing the tree and no matter how many times you explain that they are inside and the squirrell is outside, they will still act like they can get it....they will drive you crazy.....and they will comfort you on those awful days.....they will love you on your great days and love you more on your worst days.....they will give you their bone if it makes you feel better....they will make you laugh....they will come back to you each time, even after they have been hurt....they trust in you......and they believe in you.

They say there are two kinds of people--dog people and well, not dog people. I am a dog person, proudly. I love these guys....and I'm happy they are mine. They teach me every day to take it all in, sniff every smell, lick everyone, and play with their old toys as if they're brand new again. I would suggest to try to live more like them, however, I'm not sure everyone would appreciate you sniffing them or their butts and licking may not be the best greeting either....butt (no pun intended) perhaps we can smell more flowers and greet everyone with a hug....judging less and loving more....maybe, if we did more of that, then everyone could be Man's Best Friend.