Debra Franke writer/poet/photographer
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Dogs: They Never Ghost Us or Abandon Us

January 20, 2018
Dogs: They Never Ghost Us or Abandon Us

“Everyone knows that dogs can be firehose-like gushers of unqualified love.”  Today I enjoyed an essay from The New York Times by Amy Sutherland on the incredible love connection between dogs and humans: Opening the Heart’s Floodgates, With A Paw. Our beloved dog companions might eat our shoes or snatch a piece of roast beef off our plate, but they won’t hold back a single measured ounce of loving us with reckless abandonment. No matter what. People let us down. They wound with words, walk off in frustration, give or take away permission to love or to be loved back, make unspoken rules about when, how, and where they will love us, or flat out abandon us. But dogs, they are like tulips in spring or snow in winter–they make sense, their affection is beautifully predictable, and they do what we expect them to at exactly the right moments in time: they love us, plain and simple. And in doing so, they give us a space to love them back, plain and simple. With everything we have.

Everyone knows that dogs can be firehose-like gushers of unqualified love. Humans, in contrast, have always struck me more as takers than givers, fickle lovers who are cagey with their affections and hearts. But in watching people tumble for goofballs like Ciera, I saw that my own species longs, maybe even needs, to gush unqualified love too, something we rarely do with other humans, even with a mate.

A dog may eat our Italian loafers but will never ghost us, or say, “We need to have a talk.” With them, we can let it all hang out. At the shelter, that’s what people did with our one-eyed pugs, our ancient hounds with bald patches and juveniles who hopped like kangaroos.

Watching people fall in love so completely with dogs, I began to see how humans long to give their hearts away.

 

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6 thoughts on “Dogs: They Never Ghost Us or Abandon Us”

  • Rodney Smith says:
    January 20, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    I too am an animal lover. Here is a post I did a year ago. https://hopeaftertbi.net/2017/01/16/creatures-of-comfort/
    Thanks for the comment and following my blog

    Reply
    • Away in Autumn says:
      January 21, 2018 at 3:13 am

      Thanks so much for your post link… Koby is beautiful and I’m so glad to hear how you have received comfort from your pets. Just tonight I am dog sitting for a friend. While here, fever took over me. The dog has been cuddling and sleeping with me for hours! I look forward to seeing more of your posts.

      Reply
  • Rhonda Sittig says:
    January 24, 2018 at 5:58 am

    Hey Debra– sweet post!! Was this inspired by your own dog– or your dog sitting buddy?? Love the little face at the top. hugs hugs.

    Reply
    • Away in Autumn says:
      February 3, 2018 at 4:43 am

      Inspired by my sitting buddy Rhonda! Every so often, I get to housesit, and she is my bestie when I do. Love having her company–it cheers me up so. Thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed the post–hugs back to you!

      Reply
  • Maggie says:
    February 13, 2018 at 8:26 pm

    Dogs are sooo sweet!! I love watching animal rescues on the YouTube channel called Hope For Paws – they’re a rescue team based in LA. I highly recommend their videos! <3

    Reply
    • Away in Autumn says:
      February 16, 2018 at 8:56 pm

      thanks Maggie, I’ll have to check out the YouTube Channel. I’m sure I’ll love it! THanks for commenting here–I love dogs as well! So much.

      Reply

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I’m so glad you’re here. I’m a writer, poet, and creative, as well as dreamer, runner, and Librarian. I am an advocate for language, voice, and creative storytelling, and anyone facing mental illness, trauma, homelessness, and more. I have my MA (CW and Englist Lit) and my BA Honours in Psychology. I have been published in several Canadian literary magazines and I am working on completed two poetry manuscripts. Click here to find out more.

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Writer/Poet/Creative, Photographer, Librarian, Dog Lover, Taco Enthusiast, and Advocate for those struggling with mental health, homelessness, trauma, and marginalization.

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Thank you for signing up! Feel free to write me anytime, to comment on posts, ask questions, or simply connect. I am so glad you are here.

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Copyright © 2021 Debra Franke

Copyright © 2021 Debra Franke
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