Puppies and Other Sources of Hope

Why do we all love puppies? Or at least the idea of them? They are soft and floppy and adorable. But more than that, they adore us. Who can resist a puppy wiggling in absolute delight just at the sight of us? Who can feel lousy when a puppy is licking at our faces? Not me.

And I'm longing for a dog. This one belongs to my son and after a number of chewed up items, muddy messes in the backyard, and rounds of carsickness, I promise you, he's still well loved. I want a dog to follow me around again, to take walks with me, to bark when someone is coming to the door. Dogs are simple. Treat them right and they'll reward you with affection. Train them and they're easy to live with. Correct them with love and they'll follow your lead. Hurt them and they'll be skitterish, resistant, or downright mean. Dogs are simple.

My dog Ralph used to nose me every morning at 7AM to have his breakfast. I didn't mind. What other creature bounded around in circles at 7AM, just happy to see me and get his food? He started my day with a smile. If I cried he sat at my side and licked my tears. He scared the UPS man with his huge bark and chased the ground squirrels out of the back yard.

Valentines Day is tomorrow and all of us looking for models of love or child rearing might look to our dogs. Keep it simple. Keep it kind. Delight in the existence of each other. Take walks together. Joy is amplified, meanness has consequences. My conclusion? Puppies are cute, but they also promise years of love and that is one kind of hope. Happy Valentines Day, guys.