There

It’s time for the wisest advice you’ve ever received from me, Mabel Bestest Goodest Girl.

I hear humans all the time talking about “there.” What is there? You’ll get there with your health, money, and peace in your heart, community, and world. Where is there?

I don’t know where it is, but we dogs like to live here, and now, so that’s among our greatest (oh, there are so many) gifts to you: to focus on the now. 

Maybe “there” never happens.

Maybe you find utter bliss in the early morning when you haven’t had your coffee yet, and your dog jumps up next to you with that look. And you know exactly what they want and need, for you to lift the blanket so they can crawl underneath and stretch out as close to you as possible. 

Here is where it’s at.

Maybe your happiness, which fills your cup so you can be at your best for everyone you love, meet, and interact with, is simply breathing in the fresh air on your walks with us and chuckling along with every gackle who cackles in the distance like they’re having the best time ever.

Maybe you find joy while your dinner is cooking. You sit on the floor with your dogs and run through some of their favorite tricks and cues because they love learning, pleasing you, and eating treats. Oh, how I love treats. Or maybe when you sneak to the kitchen to grab a snack, you always smile when your typically clumsy bulldozer of a dog somehow stealthily appears, quietly waiting for whatever you’re willing to share.

And, maybe all your dreams of making the world beautiful and peaceful for every living being started with you seeing your dog for who they were and leaving every expectation aside. Hence, they learn to trust, love, and (as joyfully as possible) share life’s journey. 

We dogs appreciate every compassionate moment, escape from what scares us, or quiet easy times together, so when you’re stuck wondering when you’ll get wherever there is, remember we’re here, always, and we’re grateful for you.