Dogs amaze me. My friend and dog behaviorist, Kevin, taught me that dogs pick up on human emotions long before other humans have a clue.
This brings me to Jody Beth Baker. She’s our only female dog. Every day, she puts up with her three brothers who think they rule the pack.
Some days, I come home feeling down. It may not even be a big thing – life just hasn’t gone exactly as I planned. All four shepherds greet me at the gate, tails wagging, eager to play. Then Jody Beth heads to the porch and sits in front of my favorite chair.
I plop down. Jody puts her face on my knees. I cradle her head in my two hands. She looks up at me. I stare into her deep brown eyes. She’s telling me, “It’s okay, I’m here.” The stare stays for precious moments.
Then Jody lets me know when it’s time to toughen up and join the rest of the pack. I play ball and all is good in the world.