Do dogs actually love us?
Just a few minutes ago I was in the bathroom with my boy (hes my 13 year old pitbull TJ) contently sitting there across from me staring at me. His eyes closed as I leaned forward and scratched his shoulders. I was telling him how handsome he looked after getting a shower last night.
He was basically in a trance as his little sister (my 8 month old pit bull) came bouncing in to join the pat party. He leaned to the side pushing her a little which of course only made her push back. So now I was long done but I patted both of them. As she bounced back out and into the kitchen to get into whatever she could, he gently licked my hand. I patted him some more and he leaned closer for a hug.
As I got up he looked up at me with his big brown eyes. They sparkled a little. I think of it as the look of love. I hope he loves me, I’m pretty convinced he does. I only hope he knows how much I love him.
When I lost my girl (my 16 year old pit bull) back in December I prayed that she knew how much she meant to me. She waited for me to be there to leave this world. I told her it was OK. I told her how much I loved her. She stared at me half terrified but seemed comforted as I patted her. She took her last breath and I held her limp body not really wanting to let go. I know she loved me.
As my new baby bounces around constantly busy, every now and then she will stop and race to me and leap up for a hug. Full hug with paws around my neck. She already loves me and is very good at showing it.
I think if the question needs an answer, call your dog to you and look into their eyes…the eyes are the window to the soul. If they get a little sparkle when you pat them, you will see that amazing unconditional love that dog lovers know all too well. 😉
I believe dogs actually love and do it better than most people.
Edit: I am overwhelmed with all your wonderful comments! Thank you all so much! My boy passed away a few months after I wrote this and I couldn’t bring myself to read it again.
Here is the look I spoke of