It’s hard to believe that there’s anything left to say about the joy of owning a dog. There are literally thousands of articles, dozens of books, and countless Internet sites on which owners wax rhapsodic about their canine friends. I do it myself with a piece called “Sit/Stay” elsewhere on the site. Between the slightly precious and precocious best-seller “Marley and Me” (now available in a children’s version) and a set of heart-tugging essays in the August issue of “O” Magazine, we should have completely exhausted the subject. Dogs=unconditional love=antidote to loneliness=happiness=improved quality of life for dog and owner. Or: Americans= self-indulgent=multi-billion dollar pet-care business=preference for pets over people=indifference to world suffering. Okay, we get it. And yet, my inner cynic keeps getting seduced by the sight of my silly little dog romping through her life and mine. Stupid, I say to myself, to feel so strongly about something that will live maybe fifteen years, something that is not human. And yet…and yet…watching her run free in the spacious backyard of the tiny house I rented for a month, watching her explore and test herself and yes, learn, watching her fall deeply asleep every night, exhausted after a day spent as near to her owner as she needs to be yet as far as she wants to be – it’s making me happier, healthier, calmer, nicer around humans as well as animals. So here’s my equation: Indulging your dog with spa days or customized outfits, especially when it busts your budget=foolish. Enjoying moments with one creature who gets the concept of happiness and knowing you’ve contributed to that=priceless.
- photo by James E. Potorti
About Nikki
Nikki Stern is a writer whose essays have appeared in the New York Times, Newsweek and USA Today. She's the author of Because I Say So Read more about Nikki SternNikki’s News
Nikki's new book, Because I Say So: The Dangerous Appeal of Moral Authority is now available at Amazon (book and Kindle) and at the book's website nikkistern.com
Nikki also publishes"Does This Make Sense", a website for people who think things through and have fun doing it!
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Wasn’t it Linus who said “Happiness is a warm puppy”? Ok he might have said blanket, but I think he said puppy at one time
Nothing wrong with wanting to be the person your dog thinks you are. It makes us much more human to deal with love and loss in its purest forms. And yes, my two make me nicer in general too. Nothing can match how good I feel when I’ve got a dog sleeping at my feet. Nice post! Thanks.
I love this post……….my Nike is currently sleeping on the couch as I work, and as I look at him – I cannot imagine my life without him! He has made me finally stop and “smell the coffee”….
Well said, Nikki! Everyone (well, almost everyone) should have a dog … the world would be a better place.