A Simple Smile from my Fuzzy Buddy

Do you ever wish life could be simpler? The hardest thing my dog Jackson ever has to do is learn the commands “Leave it” and “Stay”. He is almost always smiling, especially when he is being pet or playing ball. I always say to him, “I know why you’re smiling all the time. You don’t have to work to make money to pay the bills and you are so stinking cute that everyone loves you and wants to spend time with you.” Seriously, I have made play dates for him with other dogs and we have neighbors down the street that come over to play fetch with him all the time.

When I play outside with him, it always makes me laugh. I trained him to fetch the ball, bring it back to me and drop it right by my feet but I haven’t trained him to keep me upright when I throw the ball and lose my balance. Whenever I go down, he is nowhere to be found. He is off chasing the ball I just threw and I am sitting on the ground laughing at the situation. In addition, there are times when he doesn’t want to give up any of his balls. He will put them all in a pile and if I come over and try to take one, he will either put one in his mouth and one under his paw or he will lay down on top of all them.

Never in a millions years did I see myself outside with a dog playing in the rain, snow, wind or intense heat. I think I enjoy it as much as he does because it keeps things in perspective for me. It doesn’t take expensive toys and technology to make him happy. In his dog world, Jackson is happy chasing a ball whether it still squeaks or not. It’s so nice to enjoy these moments with him. After navigating my way through a crazy day at work, it makes me so happy to come home to this unconditionally loving, smiling, grateful fuzzy dog. He reminds me every day that it doesn’t matter where I work, where I live, how much I make, or what I wear. Jackson loves me and my family unconditionally and he brings endless joy, smiles and laughter to us.