Dogs are beautiful and equally mysterious.

I sometimes stare at my dog and feel he’s about to say something like: “Uffa, this rain doesn’t stop, you sure you cannot take me out?”. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if one day he spoke. It’d be so natural!

I’ve met elders on the street who start playing with my Asta and comment nostalgically: “They’re the best companions one can have. I also had one long time ago…”

They are human. Sometimes more than me and you.

They are always happy when you come back home from work. Actually, they’re happy even if you disappear and reappear after five minutes.

They play hide-and-seek and the best part is that you always hide and they always seek.

They recognise your car in the parking lot.

They give you high-five and that’s actually enough for a trick.

They sense when you’re sad. And to make you feel better they will lick you (in practice, it’s fun.)

They like taking baths. Though it takes time and patience till they get to like it.

They can understand and memorize around 160 words, so watch your words :).

They’ll steal your stuff, but that’s ok because it’s fun (the only time they play hide and you play seek).

There’s a reality behind the figurative expression “puppy eyes”. The reality melts your heart.

Walk your dog and you’ll always meet new people walking their dogs, in their universe, probably thinking the same like me. You’ll always end up exchanging a few thoughts, smiles, have-a-good-day’s. Dogs connect people.

I can give you endless reasons. However, I think anyone who has a dog knows what I mean and for those who don’t but think of getting one, I have a piece of advice: please think twice, three times, four times, take as much time as you need to think it over. It’s not just walks and sunshine and flowers. I once met a man on the street walking his hyper dog. I and Asta played with him for a bit, then the man suddenly asks me: “Do you want him? I need to find someone to take him. I don’t have time. I’m a painter you know, and this dog is always hyper-active and he sometimes ruins my work.” — then WHY a dog if he knew he doesn’t have the time and his work is meticulous?

A dog requires your patience, your attention, your time. Are you sure you can give him these for a long chunk of time?

Here is my fox terrier Asta — the cutest human in the world.