Purity

To know a dog is to know a brand of loyalty that simply doesn’t exist in the human world. There is a particular honesty to dogs that I have always trusted. They do not hedge. They do not multitask their affection. When they are with you, they are entirely with you. Eyes steady. Tail hopeful. Heart wide open.

Terry once captured this perfectly when reflecting on the sheer presence of these creatures.

What is there not to like about dogs? When they are around, they are one hundred percent there for you, existing as a furry anchor in a chaotic world. You can whisper your deepest problems to them, confess your fears, or recount your failures. You can even spill your heartaches into those soft, attentive ears.

Dogs forgive with a speed that should embarrass us. You could turn around and ignore them for an hour or even yell in a moment of frustration. Yet, the second you open your arms, they forgive you in an instant. They come running back with a spirit that suggests you are the most wonderful being to ever walk the earth. And when they aren't there? The house doesn't just feel quiet; it feels empty and strangely lonely, like a song without a melody.

Take my own girl, for instance. She has a wag that could probably power a small city. Her love is a wild, unconditional force that she aims at everyone she meets. It doesn't matter if you are a lifelong friend or a stranger she just met ten seconds ago. She will greet you with a flurry of licks and an enthusiastic sniff of your crotch as if the two of you were soulmates reunited after decades apart. It is her way of saying welcome to the inner circle.

Because one dose of this joy isn't enough, the pack is about to grow. I am adding two more to the family soon. I have already picked out the perfect names: Rolex and Timex. Why those names? Because I have always wanted a pair of high quality "watch dogs." They might not be the fierce guardians people expect, but they will certainly keep time with the rhythm of my heart.

Dogs understand the present moment better than any of us ever could.

They remind us to go outside.
To notice the weather.
To pause.
To play.
To rest when rest is offered.
They ask for very little and give freely and endlessly.

Life is just better when it is measured in tail wags and cold noses.