Hiss

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I am a lovable guy.  No pupping, people literally stop on the trail and say i am “gorgeous” or call out as they walk by that i am a “beautiful dog”.  Dad calls me a chick magnet, whatever that means, and friends ask mom to bring me to their house so they can have some “phil time”.  (Check out my Friends & Siblings page and look at Barb and me…i’m a love bug.) When i visit schools, i am the big dog on campus…or the giant puppy at least.

For better or for worse, i am used to being liked, and it comes easily to me.

BUT, i’m not about the accolades or popularity…i really just want to make people smile.

Other dogs may find it hard to believe, however, none of the 24/7/365 doting goes to my head. My mind is too busy thinking about my next great adventure, or squirrel spotting, or stick discovery, or tail chasing, to be focused on how many eyes stare in my direction when i walk into a room.  They all stare…and i don’t care because i am not about being liked, i really just want to make people smile.

I just want to be a giant puppy.

What do people love about me?  My luxuriously silky fur? My goofy eyes?  My gigantic nose? My floppy ears? My huge feet with fur between the toes?  

IDK

Is it the way my fur crimps when i get wet?  Is it the way i lean my full body weight into everyone i meet?  Is it the drool and bits of food that stick to my mouth and cling to their clothing when i say hello?

IDK

Maybe it is all of the above.

Maybe it is my love for life.  Maybe it is my wagging tail. Maybe it is my clumsiness… my awkwardness…my uncoordinated gait that sometimes sends me tumbling to the floor. Maybe it is because they sense i am genuinely happy just being me.

I cannot say for certain, but rest assured, when i arrive, wherever i am…the place goes to the dogs.

Although i do not expect these raving receptions, i have grown accustomed to them, and i feel good when i make someone feel good.  In fact, my entire goal in life is to be that ray of sunshine in somebody else’s cloudy day. My mission is to make a difference, and my calling is to care…i really just want to make people smile.  

My love for life, joy of spreading joy, and general ease at meeting people all explain the shock and dismay i felt when i walked past a bush the other day and heard a soul-crushing hisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.

WTFurball!?!?

I am familiar with ohhhs and ahhhs, but never before have i encountered a hiss.  Not only a hiss, but a hiss with a clear intention and obvious message that i could not miss. This angry hiss came indeed not from a friend full of bliss or in search of a kiss, but instead from an enemy as a sure sign of something amiss.

IDK

No one has never not liked me before.

I was lost.  I stopped dead in my tracks.  Until this moment i believed i was meant to be man’s best friend…or woman’s best friend…or plain old person’s best friend…i don’t care who…i just want to be a best friend! I’m not about the accolades or popularity, i just want to make people smile.

Hissssssssssssssss.

Who didn’t want me there?  Who didn’t want my company?  Who was being so darn mean?

I took in my surroundings, and there, not far away, just a few steps from where i was, sat one cranky cat.

Hissssssssssssssss.

WTFurball?

I live with a cat.  She licks my ears and shares my water bowl.  She plays with my toys and sleeps on my bed. She meows and i bark.  She is happy to see me and…well, honestly…i sometimes step on her, but that is only because i am a giant doofy puppy and don’t know any better…..but i love her.  I love cats! I love everyone, and i just want to make people smile.

I racked my brain, and my brain is typically too busy thinking about my next great adventure, or squirrel spotting, or stick discovery, or tail chasing, to be focused on anything else, but this was earth-shattering.  

This cat didn’t like me.  And it hurt.

Sadness. How could i win over this cat? Sadness. How could i make this right? Sadness. What could i have done wrong? Worry. What should i do next? Stress.  Am i not worthy? Epiphany.

I didn’t realize it, but apparently i want to be liked, and i like being liked.

Don’t we all?  Or don’t we at least want to feel good about ourselves and as if we matter.

There may be a day when you walk into a room or walk down the street and a cat will hiss at you from behind a bush…or maybe right at your face.  Don’t get your hackles up. Instead, step back and evaluate…without panic. Keep in mind, even if you live with a cat or have cat friends, sometimes dogs and cats just don’t get along.

Don’t be sad.  Don’t worry. Don’t stress.  You are worthy, you do matter, and i care.

We can’t make everyone happy, and we can’t be everyone’s friend.  Instead, be the best version of your imperfect self and let the pieces fall where they will.

i’m a dog, i love life, and i have flaws.  i’m perfect. imperfect. Just. Like. You.