By, Gavin Kelleher-Marciello| Student Life Editor
November 8th, 2017
Man’s best friend has become too simple of a cliche to describe the love shared between a dog and their human. Anyone who has had the chance to experience this connection understands the infinite affection of such a relationship. A dog is the ultimate guru of life, love, and happiness. The knowledge they have to offer go beyond limitations of the human imagination. A dog’s existence is the purest and most genuine lesson of love. This is what my dog taught me:
Never let anyone walk in the door without saying hello. If someone new comes over make sure you welcome them with a hug. If they are small, maybe don’t jump on them throwing your paws onto their shoulder, let the little ones in with a gentle kiss on the cheek. If they are part of the pack don’t shy away from overly affectionate hellos, even if you knock them down in the attempt to throw your whole body into an embrace. It is better to be knocked down onto your bum with love than to be standing anyways. The most important greetings of the day are always for your pack, everyday show them you love them. Everyone needs a little love at the end of the day. Sometimes someone will leave for a half hour or even less, but you might miss them. It’s okay to tell them how much you missed their company, in-fact make sure you do because that’s what you do when you love someone, you remind them every chance you get.
If someone is sad, snuggle them. Cuddles are the best way to cure sadness, never let your pack feel lonely, the most important part of being sad is knowing that you aren’t alone. Sometimes you have to change your cuddling strategy, for the big people it’s usually okay to plop your whole body on top of them, for the little ones though maybe just a paw or rest your head against theirs. This is guaranteed to provide your loved ones with a cozy warmth, let them know it’s going to be okay and that you’ll be there to snuggle no matter how long. If you’re feeling extra snuggly give them a kiss, gauge the kiss though, licking someone’s face isn’t always welcomed depending on what pack member your comforting, and make sure you don’t have dog breath.
Try new things. If its meeting new people, trying new food, going new places, do it all! Don’t let anything stop you from being yourself, go out into the world everyday as your truest self. Always say hello to your neighbors and people walking down the street. You might meet your best-friend or true love, who knows, the world is limitless so let yourself be limitless too. Food is probably one of the best things in the world, try it all. If you’re out with the pack and you really really want to try someone else’s food make a cute face and look at them till they cave in and give you a bite or two, it works 99% of the time. Experience the world as much as you can, go hiking, play at the beach, travel to new places. Don’t forget to smell everything, act like a puppy everyday. Smell the flowers, the dirt, the sand, the ocean, the air take it all in. Never underestimate the magic of smelling things.
Don’t forget the power of being silly. Wake up everyday with the excitement of a puppy, jump, run, play, no matter how old you are. Leap into everything you do with determination, but when you fail don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself. Sometimes you’ll become so caught up in pointless endeavors it’ll feel like you’re chasing your own tail. When the weight of being serious becomes too heavy to hold, play. Drop the stress even if just for a moment let yourself be silly. If possible get everyone around you to play, run, wrestle, chase after sticks. Don’t ever take yourself too seriously, life is far too magnificent to live everyday so pensive. Being silly is good for the soul.
Love with all of your being. Love everyday as if you may not have tomorrow, life is fleeting and limited. Love with so much exuberance that anyone who knows you will never doubt how much you love them. When you give love you receive love, love the life you live, the people around you and everything you are lucky enough to experience. Don’t ever let the bustle of life distract you from love. Love is truly the most powerful force any pup or human could ever feel, sharing your love with the world changes everything, it softens the harshness of existence, it protects the hearts of those you care for, and it makes every second of life that much better. Surround yourself with love so profound you will never feel alone. This is the most underestimated key to happiness. To love unconditionally so that even when you are gone you will always hold warmth in the hearts of those who loved you.
Dedicated to the pup who taught me the boundlessness of unconditional love. The greatest lesson of all.
PaPa and I loved your article and honestly Gavin I see things so differently when it comes to Bear. He literally is teaching me so much more than I have taught him. Thank you for being you and thank you for always caring enough to write about it!!