Dogs are some of the most amazing creatures in the entire world. They specialize in two things: being loved and showing love. Though they don’t look at life through the eyes of their masters and are oblivious to many human hardships. They remind us of different ways we could improve the way we handle life and interact with others. If we could somehow find the balance between looking at life through the eyes of our dogs and our own, we would be better for it.

Here are some of the ways we should be more like our beloved pets:

1. Being Loyal- Our culture is really lacking in this trait... People are as flakey as can be. Friends, and even family, come and go, making it difficult to feel a sense of security. This is both emotionally and physically draining. Everyone is struggling with SOMETHING, and it’s always easier when you know you have someone to be a rock for you in times of trial- someone who won’t abandon you when life gets hard. For this reason, we should make it a point to be a loyal friend, sibling, child, coworker, etc. It doesn’t take an overabundance of effort to be loyal and to “be there” for a friend who is hurting. Dogs are so great at this. They are loyal until the end and expect nothing in return… perhaps this is one reason we love them so much.

2. Loving Unconditionally- Dogs are excellent examples of exhibiting pure, unconditional love. They are quick to forget any hurt feelings or episodes of anger and simply return to showering you with affection as if nothing happened. Learning how to forgive from the heart and replacing the hurt with love is so foundational for developing and maintaining healthy relationships with those who mean the most to you.

3. Being Selfless- We’ve all heard the stories of dogs risking their lives to save their owners, right? It’s crazy to consider that these non-human creatures instinctively desire our protection from harm no matter the cost. In our culture, it’s all about satisfying “me, myself, and I.” This is a cause of so much disconnect and hurt in society. Many people don’t realize the importance of putting others first. This is one of the best ways we show love and paves the way for stronger relationships, families, and communities.

4. Not Concerning Ourselves With Others’ Outward Appearance or Status – Unlike us humans who make judgements based on what somebody looks like or their achievements (or lack thereof), dogs couldn’t care any less. You could look like a hot mess, be a straight up model, run the most successful company in the world, or be unemployed, and your dog would treat you exactly the same. They remind us that appearance and status shouldn’t take precedence over the inward self and that we should treat everybody equally, with the same love and respect.

5. Being a Great Comforter and Listener- Though dogs can’t completely understand human speech, they sure make great comforters, and their inability to speak makes them the ideal listener. How often do we talk, and talk, and talk to our friends and family without even asking about how they’re doing… Dogs act as if we’re the moon and stars to them. They give us undivided attention (unless there’s a squirrel) and in simply doing so, light up our day. It doesn’t take much on our part to be a good comforter. It simply starts with being a good listener and giving the attention we all desire from time to time.

6. Appreciating the Little Things in Life- Ever seen a dog absolutely light up when chasing a butterfly or when interacting with kids? They genuinely find joy in the simplest and most innocent of things; it doesn’t take much to make them happy, and it should be the same for us as human beings. Taking time to enjoy the little things in life, little gifts from God, is so important- Whether it be taking a walk and enjoying the beauty of nature, admiring the sunrise, going out for coffee with a good friend, or playing hide and seek with a little niece or nephew. So much of what we concern ourselves with is irrelevant. Ultimately, it’s the little things that will bring us the most joy.

These are just a handful of ways we should be more like our dogs. They provide us with so many lessons and examples on how to be better people. We could learn a lot from Man’s Best Friend.