“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”
My best friend and I joke about the scientists who do studies on dog behavior. Dogs make people happy! Dogs love/hate hugs! Dogs remember stuff! Dogs recognize the words “walk” and “treat.” My buddy always says, “Someone should buy that scientist a dog.” Because dog owners understand dogs without the studies.
I am a dog person who grew up in a cat family. My first word was “dog” (well, “wow wow”). I have loved dogs my whole life, but we didn’t get Red until eight years ago.
Due to a long-term illness in our family, I don’t get out much. Plus, I have always been shy. But I realized recently that I can talk to dogs. When I run into people on our strolls, I’m able to converse fluently with most of the mutts we meet. My social circle includes Annabelle, Simon, Daisy and Blossom. All dogs.
One of my favorite pups is Florence (I got permission to use her real name. I was going to call her “Venice” or “and the machine”). Florence adores our dog, while Red is standoffish. Meanwhile, I love Florence. She goes airborne when she sees us. She is happiness in motion. I would have playdates with her if I could. I have never seen such a pure definition of joy.
I read once that dogs’ eyebrows helped them bond with humans. Dogs have evolved hand-in-paw with us. They are our buddies, our companions, a bright light on a lonely night. Red knows when I’m sad. He licks my face. He curls up next to me.
Scientists would say: “Dogs can feel empathy.”
I would say: Get that dog a scientist already.