There is something so pure and unconditional about a dog’s love that is likely to be unachievable by the human species. From the day you rescue your new puppy all the way until his snout turns gray, his affections will rarely stray from your side. How is this possible? Despite the frustrations of training and that time you yelled because he tore a hole in your favorite sweatshirt and peed on the carpet in the same day, he still holds you in the highest esteem.

Without even realizing it, you often cut his walks short to save time or blatantly eat bacon in his face, yet he would never deny you cuddles or the opportunity to lick the tears from your face. Some may argue that humans have a better understanding of the emotional experience, and that is why we are much more guarded with our love. However, there might be something much more emotionally superior in the way that dogs can overlook every human imperfection and experience authentic love for another living thing.

Although verbal communication is typically one sided, with the exception of a few barks and sighs, it is completely key. Searching for a human you can pour your soul out to without fear of judgement or rejection remains a daunting task. With a dog, you can spew whatever bat sh*t crazy thoughts that come to mind and he will still snuggle up to you real close and look at you with eyes of affirmation.

In a world where the pressure can sometimes go to your head, it is a great comfort to have such an animal in your corner one hundred percent of the time. That type of devotion is pretty impossible to understand and equally as amazing that such sentiment can be experienced between two different species. It might be easy to overlook, but this type of four legged fondness should not be taken for granted.

It’s almost ridiculously unfair how short of time our dogs are allotted on this earth. Immune to the cruelties and complexities of human relationships, it would make much more sense for man’s best friend to outlive him. Unfortunately it is quite the opposite. In spite of being spared heartbreak, their love is quickly consumed in such a harsh world. Constantly surrendering to the needs of humans, their hearts are exposed.

Regardless of how or why your canine passes, you can’t help but wish there was some way you were able to reciprocate the many years of truthful affection he gave you. The only thing to do is hope that he understood how much he meant to you. A dog’s life may be short, but he can teach you so much in the meantime. Dogs remind us that love is real and exists in the purest form. They restore our faith when human interaction gets to the brink of unbearable, which is something we will always be grateful for.