A Community made Kinder by our Furry Friends

My brother has a super good-natured dog, and I get the privilege of looking after him whenever my brother and sister-in-law travel. My "dogphew" is incredibly agreeable—patient, emotionally stable, and best of all, he rarely ever barks!

When he was younger, we found his quietness a little unusual that I once wondered, just for a second in my head, if he might be mute. The very moment that thought crossed my mind, he let out a clear, loud bark. I immediately apologized for ever doubting him! Of course he could bark; he just didn't feel the need to most of the time. I can't tell you how much we appreciate this trait. Whenever I hear other dogs barking, I feel even more grateful for his calm presence. It’s not that barking is bad, but from a human's perspective, having a peaceful dog feels like a rare gift.

Caring for him has made me notice something else. Aside from a few neighbors in my building, I barely know anyone in my neighborhood. People in my city tend to be wary of strangers. If you approached someone and asked their name, they might be shocked or even suspicious that you have some ulterior motive in mind. But I’ve found that this isn’t an issue when it comes to getting to know dogs.

You can always start a conversation with an owner by asking about their dog. Most are more than happy to share details. Over time, I’ve come to know more dogs in my area than people. I’ve even befriended a few. I genuinely love these dogs, and I can tell from their body language and facial expressions that the feeling is mutual.

Sometimes, I wonder why it’s so easy to develop such unconditional love for our furry friends, while it feels so much harder with our human companions? Is it because dogs never judge or expect anything from us other than to share the joy of the present moment?

I have also noticed that while I make an effort to know the dogs, I don't try to get to know their owners as much. Maybe I assume they wouldn’t want the attention turned on them, or perhaps, in that moment, the dog feels like the most natural common ground between us.

Anyway, the main point I wanted to make is: interacting with these furry friends has brought me so much pure joy. I really want to thank them for being part of our community. They make the world a less lonely place to be in!