They'll always be puppies

Dog show
London, ON, July 2010/December 2010

Dogs can have friends, too. This picture is Exhibit A. Frasier's first dog-friend was, and is, the handsome, beyond-sweet fella on the left, better known as Hudson.

If I'm being kind, Frasier is not the world's best behaved dog. He barks incessantly when he first sees strangers on the street, and he can never be off-leash outside because we just don't trust him not to run off at the first sign of a jackrabbit or squirrel.

But when he meets his buddy, everything changes. They play hard, they occasionally growl at each other because, well, they're dogs. Then they work it out and bound off in another direction. Eventually, they tire each other out, so they'll take a quick nap before heading back to the serious business of play.

Hudson somehow gets Frasier. Communicates with him as richly as he does whoever he meets. Connects with everyone around him in ways that betray the fact that he's covered in fur, walks on four legs and doesn't speak English. Reminds you why anyone's life would be better if it had a dog in it, and why every day would be better if it started and ended with some dog time.

I don't think I've ever met a dog I don't like, but there's something in these two that gets me. It's a joy to watch them create their own little dog social network, because it reminds me that doing the same on the human side really should be just as simple and pure.

Your turn: Why do best friends matter?