Have you ever met a being of Pure Joy? This is a being who is made entirely of love and goodness. They may have lived a life completely devoid of suffering, pain, and cruelty, or they may have simply transcended such a life and chosen to levitate above the rest of us in a way that is nothing short of miraculous. My dear readers, I’m talking about Jesus Christ…just kidding, I’m talking about A DOG, OF COURSE!
I love dogs as I’ve mentioned before, probably hundreds if not thousands of times. I’m one of those people that believe, wholeheartedly, that there is no such thing as a bad dog. Every single dog is a good dog and even the most poorly behaved dog is only that way because they haven’t had the lives to allow them to be their best selves.
My first dog, Matilda, whom I’ve talked about before, was a good dog! She had her eccentricities and she wasn’t perfect, but she was a damn good dog. Even when she would fight with other dogs or run around nipping at children’s heels like they were some kind of tiny bald sheep, she was still a good dog. I loved that dog and still believe she was perfect… but she was not a being of PURE joy.
I’ve been lucky enough to dogsit for a certain dog named Amber a few times now and let me tell you, Amber is a being of PURE JOY. I don’t think this dog has ever experienced a negative emotion in her entire life. From the moment I met this dog, it was like being greeted by a ray of sunshine. Amber is a 7ish-year-old golden retriever I’ve spent about three full weeks with her in the last year…and I’ve never once seen her bark. I’ve never once seen her growl. I’ve never seen her be anxious, scared, territorial, aggressive, or anything other than happy. This dog is a walking smile.
When you take Amber on a walk you need to make sure to allot some extra time because Amber will pull you (good-naturedly, of course) towards every single human and dog on that walk because she is 100% sure they are her new best friend. She’ll rub her body right up against a stranger and at the slightest pat or scratch she’ll start wiggling her butt like a baby hearing music for the first time. And if she gets ignored, or short-shrifts on pets, it doesn’t even put the slightest damper on her mood!
This dog greeted me like I brought her up from infancy and gave her all the finest foods and toys in the world…the very first time I met her. This dog will walk across the house just to put her nose on your leg or on the bed next to you just to look at you for a minute, and if you look back at her, that tail starts going and just won’t stop!
All dogs are good and perfect, but some dogs are just made of pure joy and God is it nice to spend a little time with them.
Have you had any experiences with a being of pure joy?
Amber is the sweetest! Even puts up with our rambunctious German Shepherd. I had a lovely horse named Annie that, as my trainer put it, had only good things on her mind. So true! She especially loved kids and they could be jumping and screaming all around her and she never flinched or reacted. A true gem!
I would feel remiss if I didn’t mention a wonderful brown dog named Gracie who is coming to the end of her days. Sweet, enthusiastic, a great hiker. Great loving dog.
Love how dogs express themselves. No holding back. Nothing repressed. They almost always lead with love. What a better world this would be if humans acted the same way. Well, at least we don't make others pick up our poop.