Dogs really don't ask for much, do they?

Food, a walk, someone to sit next to on the couch. That's basically the whole list. And yet they give back this ridiculous amount of loyalty and joy for it. 

I think about how a dog never fakes how it feels. No small talk, no "I'm fine" when they're not fine. If they're happy to see you, their whole body says so. If they're worried, you know. There's something kind of refreshing about that in a world full of people who overthink every interaction.

And the memory thing gets me too, how a dog can remember the exact spot where you dropped a piece of cheese three months ago, but somehow forgets they're not a lap dog every single time they try to climb into your lap at 70 pounds.

Anyway. If you've got a dog curled up near you right now, go give them a scratch behind the ears. They've earned it just by existing.