As I was sitting on the couch and sipping my usual afternoon coffee, I looked down at my dogs sleeping by my feet and came to realize that they are no longer just my dogs, my pets, my “babies”; they are now my best friends and loyal companions. Rubens, a male yellow Labrador, is a lazy dog, so he is my companion when I just want to sit down and relax. Martina, a female beagle, is so energetic she’s a perfect buddy when I want to play; but Chester, my male beagle, is like Rubens and Martina rolled into one. He knows when I want to play, he’ll play fetch a ball with me, too! And if I’m in a “lazy mode” and just want to sit and read a book, he will also sit beside me…sweet!

My dogs’ capacity to love me as their master is endless. They want to praise me, to accompany me and to love me. In return, I love them so dearly, too. So, to all the dog owners out there, please love your dogs. Don’t just simply be a dog owner, be a dog lover, too. Hug your dogs once in a while, talk to them, play with them, praise them, and in return, they will love you unconditionally, too.

Haven’t you realized that even if you scold them, they will still wag their tails on you and lick your face? That’s the unconditional love of a dog! All the love and loyalty that my “best friends” have bestowed on me are so heart-touching. A dog is really a man’s (and every woman’s) best friend! Go love a dog today and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.