The Spaghetti Principle

They say that a dog is a man’s best friend.

My dog, Dash, is my best friend, and there’s no doubt about it.

The funny thing is, it is in human nature to always want more.

And there are times I want more of Dash too.

Sometimes I wish that when I’m sad, he’ll cheer me up. When I’m angry, I wish he’ll talk to me about it. When I feel betrayed, I wish he’ll come to my side and comfort me. 

For some reason, he never does.

Not in the way I want, at least.

Perhaps it doesn’t occur to me that he’s a dog.

That he can’t do these things.

But I keep wishing that he can.

Thinking that he’s not good enough, because he can’t comprehend that he has to come when I call him, or because he can’t speak, or because he’s just not like me.

In doing that, I overlook everything good and true and well, dog-like, about him.

I forget how his ears cock back when he’s happy.

How he’ll throw himself into danger just to protect me.

How he’ll headbutt me and beg me to play fetch with him, and then refuse to give me the toy.

How he’ll throw a tantrum when eating and act like he’s doing me a favor.

I forget how he’ll take a pee in front of everyone, then widen his big eyes, asking “Why are you staring at me? Can I not get some privacy?!”

How he’ll whine and cry every time I leave home and then act ecstatic when I return, even if it’s after just five minutes.

How he can learn any trick without batting an eyelash, but then will intentionally ignore the command unless bribed with a treat.

How he will give and give, love and love, regardless of what he gets in return.

I forget.

And I believe that the ‘forgetting’, and the very demand for him to be better is what makes me human.

When was the last time he told me I wasn’t enough?

Never. Not even once.

Because Dash Kalkat might be clingy, noisy, and high-maintenance, but he never makes me feel small.

I am perfect in his eyes, regardless of what I am outside of them.

Dash is not like me.

He may not be flawless, but flawless doesn’t correspond to perfection.

Unending love, innocence, and loyalty does.

No human will ever be as perfect as an animal.

I will not forget that Dash is perfect.

Perfect the way he is.

And they have more to teach us than we know.

All we have to do is listen, and we can be perfect too.