The door opens, and before any family member can even come out, a four-legged creature dashes out, tongue out, wagging his or her tail furiously. This is a turbocharged, single-entity welcoming committee no monarch, PM or president can boast of.
You call his or her name, rub it down as he or she executes a flawless triple jump in joy and ‘hugs’ you. This is not a one-off, end-of-the-day welcome. This is an ‘always-gesture’ that brings unadulterated joy to you, the receiver of this torrential love.
The genuine affection and unconditional love expressed by the happiness minister of the household drains away all tiredness. The wet nose, frenetic welcome is your personal 21-gun salute.
The passion and unbridled happiness with which you are welcomed is a lesson in mindfulness, too. Dogs seem to live only in the present. They remind us to be fully ‘here’ and appreciate these little moments of genuine joy and affection.
