I like dogs. I have had a dog all my life. Growing up we alw ays had a dog. My kids also had a dog while they were grow ing up and have animals (2 with dogs, 1 with cat) for their kids to grow up with. The dog I have now is soon to be 4 years old. The one before that was 13. I like dogs.

I like dogs and most seem to like me. But my dog (Tiger Lily) thinks I am the greatest. She mopes when I leave. When I am at home she has to sit by me in my recliner (too big to get in lap). If I go outside she has to go with me. She loves to go with me, especially when I am on the side by side. She pretends to be Jill’s dog (primary treat giver) but when I come in she shuns Jill rather quickly.

I was thinking about the New Year and things I want to do, things I don’t want to do again and changes I need to make. As I was doing this, here comes my dog and she noses me because she wants petted and knows I will. Then it occurred to me, what if I could be the man Tiger Lily thinks I am?

So you’re probably wondering what I mean by that. My dog thinks I am the greatest thing there is. How so? Well for starters, when I come inside after being gone, she greets me at the door or Jill lets her outside and she runs to me as fast as she can with her tail a wagging. If I get inside, she runs to me then will get the “zoomies” for a few minutes running laps in the living room. She ends up at my feet dancing her happy dance and her tail and whole back end wiggling & waggling! I talk to her, scratch her ears, back and eventually her tummy. She walks off and life is good.

Never in all my life has anyone greeted like my dog. Sure they have been excited to see me but never to this extent (when Tiger was a puppy, she would wet, ‘nuff said their).

When I have to discipline my dog for disobedience she takes it very personal. She sulks a few minutes but then she comes back, tail drooping, head lowered and wants to make up. She is very conscientious about not repeating the mistake. She wants nothing but to be forgiven and know that she is still loved. Sometimes after she gets into trouble and I discipline her (swat on bottom), I have to leave. When I come back, there she is excited to see me again complete with the tail wags, running, zooming and desiring petting with no apparent memory of previous events.

I don’t remember anyone I ever had to discipline having that reaction or when I got in trouble, did I have that reaction either. Usually anger, revenge or sulking was the response.

My dog doesn’t judge me either. It doesn’t matter what I wear or how I dress. It doesn’t matter what I drive or how much money I make, whether I showered today or not. Nor does it matter if I have to be gone for a day or week. She still loves me and desires those ear scratches and tummy rubs. This even goes for the times I am late feeding her! She is right there waiting and doing the happy dance when I come in!

Finally, it doesn’t take much to make her happy. Some food, maybe a treat, perhaps a car ride out in the country or around the lake. Sometimes it’s just sitting on the couch and getting my Charlie Brown soft blanket and sharing it with her on a cold winter night. This is accompanied with lots of ear scratching and tummy rubs.

That is the kind of person I want to be this year. One who is easy to please, not vengeful, always up for an adventure, and excited to see people regardless of how long it has been since I’ve seen them (5 minutes, 5 days or 5 months). Just give me a meal or treat and I’m good. I want to just enjoy other’s company, sit around snacking and share stories or maybe just sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy a good movie.

Lord, let me be the man that my dog thinks I am for the New Year.

Petting my Pooch Bro. Tim