Day 1347

Loyalty is a gift that should always be nurtured, protected and never taken for granted. That is true for both sides of that lifeline. With my Golden Boys, Sam is my absolute, incredibly loyal soul. If I need him, he is there. Whether wrestling with Gus, chasing a bunny or trying to share a bone… if I call him, he is there.

There have been times in my life when loyalty, on my end, has been a challenge. There have only been a few of these quandaries, but they tested me greatly. Even if someone you trusted has been hurtful or selfish, it seems worthwhile to look at the history of the relationship before cutting those loyalty ties. If the bond is strong, it will weather the storm.

There have also been instances where, unthinking, I might have tested the loyalty of others towards myself. The moment that realization hit, I have always reverted to nurturing that bond. An honest apology or a hug often allows the loyal party to forgive and forget. That is a true gift.

Perhaps that is why we love our dogs to distraction. They are loyal to a fault and forgive instantly. I can inadvertently step on a paw and that Golden immediately acts as if they were at fault. Rushing to nuzzle a hand, they look deeply into your very soul with love to let you know they will always be loyal. We can learn so much from these “beasts”. In this case, always guard and cherish those bonds of loyalty… even if you “step on someone’s toes”!