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February 15, 2017

What Does Love Look Like?

If the Valentine's Day commercials were correct, love looks like  expensive jewelry, fancy dinners and as many roses as you can afford to buy. If the romantics are correct, love looks like a poem, a song or a thoughtful note. I enjoy a nice dinner and a sentimental card as much as the next person, but one of the things I appreciate most about dogs is that their love is not available for purchase or persuasion. Treats and kind words are important (obviously!) but dogs remind me love is best seen in the smaller and quieter moments of each day. Love looks like the sunrise over Lake Michigan after sneaking out for a run with Penny to make sure she still gets the attention she deserves.
Rhodesian Ridgeback, Montrose Dog Beach, Chicago, Sun rise If the Valentine’s Day commercials were correct, love looks like  expensive jewelry, fancy dinners and as many roses as you can afford to buy. If the romantics are correct, love looks like a poem, a song or a thoughtful note. I enjoy a nice dinner and a sentimental card as much as the next person, but one of the things I appreciate most about dogs is that their love is not available for purchase or persuasion. Treats and kind words are important (obviously!) but dogs remind me love is best seen in the smaller and quieter moments of each day. Love looks like the sunrise over Lake Michigan after sneaking out for a run with Penny to make sure she still gets the attention she deserves. Love looks like a willingness to see the world through new eyes.Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, marking our territory, zero It looks like sharing a moment of reprieve during a tough work day. Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, marking our territory, zero It looks like being a bit scared of change but carrying on courageously nonetheless. Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, marking our territory, zero It looks like sharing the comfort that was once shared with you. Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, marking our territory, zero And perhaps most of all – it looks like your wife happily agreeing that puppy class qualifies as a pretty hot Valentine’s Day date! Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, marking our territory, zero Advertisers and poets may give themselves the day off today*, but the world still needs love just as badly. It’s not always easy to find – in yourself or in others – but luckily I’ve found we can always discover it through our dogs. *Editor’s Note: Due to an unfortunate misunderstanding, Cupid is also out of the office today. Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, marking our territory, zero  

Comments for What Does Love Look Like?

  1. I hope cupid is not wingless now… but it looks as if he has to call a taxi cab now for visiting the lovers :o) I agree with you such a date is just great… and I hope you and Zero have fun and lots of success there :o)

  2. Dashlilly says:

    Yep, last night both doodles wrestled for their spot on the sofa — as close to me as possible. They have a whole house in which to choose a spot! No better way to end a day, in my opinion.

  3. Victoria Coleman says:

    so well said – i would add love is the dog who is your shadow and the one who sleeps at your feet and in your bed and lastly the dog who trusts you at the vets office!!

  4. Piglove says:

    We agree here at the Hotel Thompson. Commercials are all involving diamonds to trust ever lasting love. Ever Lasting Love is a forever home with humans that love your regardless if the pillow magically blows up or not. You know what I mean. XOXO – Bacon

  5. KarenS says:

    12 years ago on a Valentine’s weekend we brought home the best gift of all, our Bruno! He was, and still is, a special dog. Born on the same day we arrived in a strange city and state. Brought home when we all celebrate the loves in our lives. We both savor each day we have with him.

    This past weekend our son in law noticed the weakening in his back end and asked how long he would he be with us. And would we get another Ridgie. We don’t look any further ahead than each day we share with our grumpy boy. We spent a quiet evening with our 2 favorite boys enjoying the love that only a dog can bring.

  6. Love comes in all shapes, sizes and as you know isn’t always something that we can grasp readily in our hands. I agree about puppy class being a great Valentine’s Day date!

  7. Puppy obedience class?! Now that’s what I call a date! Move over Phenny…looks like the pad of shame is gonna get a little crowed in the foreseeable future with another adorable puppy.

  8. He has until 2018 to heal up, so he should be just fine…we hope.

  9. Exactly – valentine’s day or any other.

  10. What an awesome story! Give the old guy some love for us.

  11. He has the head tilt down, LOL! when will they finally make a dog bed that doesn’t mysteriously explode??? Sadly one blew up here this week as well…

  12. Haha yup, he’s well practiced at that maneuver for sure! I may have opted for a (self-destructing??) bed a bit too early, so it’s back to piles of comfy blankets which he loves to wrap himself in.

  13. Pat says:

    Anyone who has not known the love of an animal has a lot to learn.

  14. Best kinds of love ever! We learn a new kind every day!

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

  15. Emmadog says:

    The love of us dogs is my mom’s favorite thing!

  16. I wonder if Penny will use Zero as a pillow like she did with Eko once Zero is bigger, or maybe it’s an unspoken rule that the younger sibling always gets to use the older sibling as a pillow regardless of size? I’m glad they have each other (and you have both of them) this Valentine’s Day!

  17. T&S says:

    Love to you all happy Valentines day!

  18. coastingnz says:

    There is something to be said for unconditional love and that is exactly what our dogs give us. My gosh Zero has got big – I know Emily isn’t big herself but seeing Zero in her arms – that isn’t going to happen for much longer lol Hugs to Penny for being such a good big sister.

  19. Penny’s rested her head on Zero a few times, but I think she’s used to a bigger pillow. My guess is it will happen a bit more frequently as they get closer in size.

  20. TheRidgebackLife says:

    Zero fits into your family so well. Too many photo ops with him. I love the legs splayed on the couch. It’s like he’s asking you to pick him up. Penny is hoping for that, too. His head must be frightfully heavy on her haunches

  21. Eve Walraven says:

    Oh I love the photos of the pups! Yes I see they are trying to find a balance and understanding of each other and that there is a Sister/Brother love!! Yes I’m with you about being together is Valentine’s to me!! Have fun with the puppy classes with Zero! Never too early to start training!

  22. That big head of his is only going to get bigger! But Penny is never afraid to voice her opinion.

  23. Hey looks like LOVE to me too! Somebody do cupid in hehehehe!

  24. Jo Rhodes says:

    Love is that contented sigh that your pups emit when they flop in your lap and you’re all snuggled up.
    Zero looks fantastic. He took care of that ferocious pillow quickly ! Penny’s zooming over that fence!
    Love to all of you, Jo, Sam and Dean

  25. Dog spelled backwards and forward spells love.

  26. Oh boy! School days! Well I’m sure Zero will ACE those classes – she’s already got “feather distribution” in the bag (or out of the bag as the case may be!).

    Pam

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