Sunday Morning and Two Knucklehead Pups

Lucy in my lap as I'm writing "Reflections." If only I can teach her to type!

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday, and Reflections is never about business. It's time for me to go off-track and share something that's on my mind. This morning, as I write this, Lucy was feeling left out and wanted to give me a hand. She's sitting in my lap, while I'm typing. She's put herself into the "action," and I guess it's pups on my mind this morning. 

I've written about Lucy and Belle many times in the past, but this morning their ever-calming influence is so much on my mind. Up until these two came into our lives almost six years ago, I had never had two dogs at the same time. There's nothing wrong with having one dog, but when you have two, they play together constantly. They share their toys and bones, and when there's a storm, they're snuggled up together in the one bed they sleep in every night.

But it's their sense of awareness that amazes me most. If either Sheila or I isn't feeling good or just tired, both pups will come over to share a little love and try to lift our spirits. If we're frustrated over something, they're there for us. Yet, they have their own personalities and quirks.

For example, Lucy loves to watch television, especially commercials with dogs in them. She started today as we went through Facebook reels of stories about dogs. Belle, on the other hand, isn't into TV, but when we're watching, she'll spend a lot of time hunkered down next to Sheila.

So, with the pups on my mind, I went off to read some great dog quotes...

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“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
Anatole France

“A dog is the only thing that can mend a crack in your broken heart.”
Judy Desmond

"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there may not necessarily be anything wrong with you,
but there may be something wrong with your life."
Roger Caras

"Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation, and almost as good for the soul as prayer."
Dean Koontz​

My point this morning couldn't be more obvious, or for that matter, simplistic. Our pets never stop showing us unconditional love. No matter what the weather, our frustration in politics, the economy, or even changes in our health, there's no way to measure the richness they've added to our lives.

Wishing everybody a day ahead filled with unconditional love, laughter, and time with the four-legged furballs in your life. Our lives are fuller thanks to these two little knuckleheads. While we slow down as we age, Lucy and Belle are the secret ingredient to keeping us young and smiling almost all the time. And yes, as always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about - they work on dogs, just as much as family and great friends!

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

​And the best quote of all:

"Be the person your dog thinks you are."
​C.J. Frick