Dating Doggie Style

I can still remember vividly the first time I saw her. It was, no question, love at first sight. The breeder had warned me that of all the puppies in the litter, she was the most hardheaded. She had failed her personality tests. 

But as she bounded up to me, it took all of one minute looking into those warm brown eyes to know that this dog and I were meant to be together. Despite the occasional accident on the floor and chewed-up shoes, I've never once regretted that decision. 

One of my favorite times of day happens in the evening. As I step through the threshold of my home after a long day at work, I am greeted by my favorite furry face. 

And, just recently, it dawned on me: The best dating advice I've ever really gotten has come from my 3-year-old golden retriever, Belle. So here it is, transcribed for you, from her. (I've provided translations from Woof to English below.)

1. Sometimes, just listen. That’s the thing about Belle. As bizarre as it may seem, I probably talk more to her about what’s going on than to anyone else. She just listens, patiently. She doesn’t try to solve my problems, I never worry about her repeating what she’s heard, and she always has a soft coat waiting for me to lean on when I need it. 

2. Other people count on you, too. Mostly Belle does not get mad at me for being late. (However, some shoes have been lost to the dog-owning cause when she’s reached her limit.) Here’s the thing. No matter how the day went, Belle still needs her dinner, her walk, her playtime, and my attention. As much as she’s always there for me, I need to be there for her too.

3. When you see someone you love, let them know! My furry friend never holds back her excitement when we’re together again, regardless of time.

4. Food IS the way to the heart. Sometimes, I wake up early and make Belle bacon— even in my vegetarian phases. She drools and it makes her day. In my experience, people react in much the same way. Don’t ever underestimate the power of food.

5. Don’t forget to play. Belle’s favorite time to remind me of this is when I’ve just woken up, donning the most embarrassing pajama ensemble possible, no makeup, hair resembling a bad 80s band, and running late. It is always at this exact moment that she decides to play her game of, “run around the neighborhood and see if you can catch me before I poop in the neighbor’s yard, the one that will tell you all about it.” I think her point at these times is to remind me that there’s always time to stop and smell the roses, or, conversely, the bottom of your shoe. 

It’s too easy to lose sight of what’s really important. So set out to do these things, and do these things really well. Remind your significant other that you’re there to listen; you recognize they count on you too; be excited to see them; make them some bacon; and have fun.

  If you want to play games, Belle suggests throwing a tennis ball, because what you put out there may just come happily bounding right back to you.