I think human love is complicated. And it should be...we are complicated creatures. It is wrapped up in the complexity of words, of innuendos, of relationship politics and of expectations. When two people manage to come through all of that with one another and find real love, there is no force like it in the world.
Dog love is different. It is love in it's simplest state. There are no words, no politics....you simply just feel it. I do not think it can replace human love...but that doesn't diminish what Sophie means to me. Having both kinds of love in my life has made my world richer. Each gives me something unique, each feeds a different part of my soul.
It's a wonderful thing to see the affect of dog love on people. To see a child's face light up at the sight of a favorite furry friend. To see a hand give a gentle touch of adoration. I see so much more of it now from behind my camera....glimpses of this power that transcends the differences between species and simply just is. Glimpses of dog love.
P.S. Visit Casey over at the Charlie Project. He was hit by a car and left alone on the side of the road. The vets at Guelph called him the Wonderdog, as they did not expect him to recover. His little personality was bigger than life. A pleasure to photograph.
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34 comments:
Dog love is pure. Your photographs are absolutely beautiful.
So true Andrea. My mother had never, ever had a pet when we got Harriet for her when Mom was 76. Harriet was her constant companion for two years before mom passed away. Harriet sensed that mom could not see and they got along famously. Harriet brought such joy to mom.
Hello Andrea. Eileen here....and thank you for your note on my blog. I love your stuff here! Beautiful! I really get how you feel. I am a major cat lover...and lover of most animals. It's a very pure relationship. In any case, I am glad you shared your work-life story with the Star and I was delighted to share it with my blog readers because it's an authentic and powerful example of what it means to pursue TGIM work-life! Keep at it!! You are a model for others to follow and find their own path.
So true, we need both kinds of love. I, like you, am so glad I have both. Thank you again for sharing your beautiful photos!
Well put. My love for my dog Mason is so powerful we feel each others needs, when I am sad she is so calm and just snuggles next to me and sighs along with me. When I am happy she jumps around and wags her tail for me. I love my Mason my best friend.
But animal love seems to be the icing on the cake. Just makes the cake so much better. Great pictures again.
There's always room for more love - no matter the source. I do feel badly for people who don't recognize how wonderful it is to love a pet. The rest of us are lucky to know this joy.
Having just lost my dog I know what that love is by its absence.
From the pet's side of this love there is a huge trust, and loyalty along side unconditional love; from the pet owner's side it is more complicated, but whatever it is the pets become part of the family.
Yes somedays even when Chance is a muddy mess he makes me smile:)
Isn't a simple love much better than a complicated love? :D
Lovely post, Andrea. I think sharing a dog's love adds another dimension to a couple's love as well. I'm not sure who is crazier about our pup - I or my husband.
Beautiful, lovely and oh so true... As always!
*hugs*
Oh yes...that dog love is a very powerful thing...very powerful:)
Andrea how true! I can't wait to get home int he afternoon to walk Scout. She's waiting for me too. It's our time together and I feel that bond with her.
Oh, I just want to kiss that Boston all over it's cute little head.
My dogs are my best friends, I can't imagine life without them.
"I see so much more of it now from behind my camera." Isn't it amazing how a camera acts as a unique lens through which we see things not seen without it?
I feel sorry for those people who don't like animals. They will never know that love connection!Very lonely people I would think.
I also have both types of love in my life, it's a great life in that regard.
animals are so willing to please, how can you not love the one constant in your life who wants only for your happiness and approval.
Nothing like a dog coming to greet you at the door. Enjoy those moments of unconditional love from your dog! They will lift the spirit. I love that first little guy's picture too. What a face :)
Great pics!!! I do believe there iss a special bond between dogs and man... :-)
Beautiful pictures, and so very true.Nothing can compare to the unconditional love a dog gives us. We can learn so much from them.
Woof! LOVE the photos .. "Dog Love" is a true n forever LOVE ... as I was told before ... "it is the only LOVE money can buy ..." Woof! Sugar
Andrea...this may have been your best post so far!!!
PS - You're preaching to the choir.
Lovely photos and sentiments.
A few times in my life I have been without a dog - its just not right - an essential part of my life is missing.
Dogs are an endless source of love and joy to those of us who are lucky enough to share our lives with them. xx
Dog love is easy :)
AND you have the gift of being able to express in words and pictures what most of us can only feel.
Thank you for that.
Woos, the OP Pack
From every post and photograph, we all feel the love you and Sophie share for one another.
It's a joy to read!
I know you must have heard this before, the old saying, "I wish I was half the man my dog thinks I am."
Hello, read your article and I loved it. I connected to it in my own way. I recently started to volunteer at the OSPCA as a dog walker and it has provided me with the single most satisfying moments I have experienced in a long time. You just can't replicate the love and appreciation of an animal. At least once each visit when I go I find myself eye to eye, soul to soul with a little (or big) furry friend. There's nothing to come close to it. I too am in the corporate world but my heart every day is with my friends back at the shelter.
Andrea, I just "picture" tagged you on my blog. I'll bet the 6th picture in your 6th folder is a great one because I'll bet you never take a bad one!
See my blog for details. This one is fun.
Beautiful! It is so very true, the bond I feel with my dogs... it is just what it is, no complications, no expectations, just is.
your photographs are also marvelous!
What a perfectly lovely post and photos.
I could go on forever about Dog Love.
If you have the time, check back to Fenway's post on July 2, 2008. It's a video I made in tribute to the love I have (and receive) for him!
Keep up the great work!
There is always JOY in the face of dog love. THAT's a gift to receive.
Beautiful. I live with 7 canine family members and they are so precious because they ask nothing but give of themselves every day. Your photos, your writing touched my heart.
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