WHY I LOVE DOGS I never thought I could love a dog the way I love Zoe. I’m a clean and orderly person. I let some things slide here and there. I have a closet where I stuff things I don’t feel like dealing with. But for the most part, I’m extremely organized and by the book. Zoe, on the other hand, is a delightfully chubby, mess. She sheds hair every millisecond of the day, she plops down for naps whenever she damn well pleases, she licks various parts of her body and then tries to lick others with that same tongue… the list goes on. Allowing Zoe into my life, to steal my heart, definitely is unlike me. Slowly but surely, it happened anyway. And I’m happier for it because from Zoe I’ve learned some very important things: Real love is unconditional – no matter how your loved ones treat you I can’t imagine what Zoe feels like when she’s left alone for the greater part of the day. Does her heart break a little? Does she feel abandoned forever? I’m sure Zoe would take a million baths than go through that daily heartache of wondering when she’ll see someone she loves again. I admire how quickly she forgives us though. Every time I come home, it’s like a celebration! That’s true love. Live in the present and enjoy the good times with all your heart Zoe is so good at enjoying the good times. Whether it’s going for a stroll or chasing ducks, she does it with all her heart. She doesn’t take any moment for granted. And that’s really such a beautiful lesson to be learned. Life is too short – might as well enjoy it. Sincerely comforting another involves hugs and kisses I’ve had some down moments this past year and Zoe has sensed each one of them. Without fail she paws at my door or wiggles her way into my arms when I’m at the brink of tears. I don’t know how she does it or how she knows, but she just does. I think dogs have a sense for those kinds of things. It makes me wonder if I take care of my dog, or if she takes care of me. From Zoe I learned that truly comforting someone cannot be done at arm’s length. You gotta dig in and cuddle. AND sometimes your life’s purpose can be as simple as playing till you’re exhausted, eating till your belly feels full, loving with all your heart and living life to the fullest! I want to love your dog the way I love my own! I will make sure to really get to know your dog, care for it as my own, and do whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable as a dog-owner.