Dogs Inspire Us to Do More

This post, Dogs Inspire Us to Do More, was sponsored by Milk-Bone® as part of a Two-Post Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

I cannot imagine my life without a dog. Duke is our newest family member. His gotcha day was just a few days after our dog Toby died unexpectedly. Though Toby will always be irreplaceable, Duke fills up my heart with so much joy. He makes me happy when I’m feeling sad. He’s more than “just.”

The dogs in my life

Growing up, my family always had a dog. We had Duchess, Spicey, and Boots. Then I got married. We lived in an apartment, and then moved to a house with almost no yard. My husband thought we shouldn’t have a dog because we didn’t have a big yard. I went along with that for years, but I still longed for a dog.

Finally in 2008, he agreed. We were getting a dog. As is always the case, Toby chose us. He was a sweet little 13 week old puppy, and he filled our lives with so much love. When he passed away unexpectedly, I couldn’t even go a week without another dog.

We knew as soon as we saw Duke that he was going to be part of our family. Our little bundle of energy is around 7 months old now, and he has just made life amazing.

Duke and I go on morning walks that end at the middle school bus stop by our house. We usually get back from our walk right around the time the little girl across the street is coming out to wait for the bus. She always comes out about 15 minutes early to spend time with Duke. I stay out there and talk to her about school and stuff going on in her life. Then my son’s friend’s little brother gets to the bus stop next and plays with Duke. Most days 2 or 3 more kids get to the bus stop about 5 minutes early and play with Duke. It’s like we’ve formed our own little tribe all because of Duke. I feel like the “den mother,” and I always tell them to have a good day at school. It warms my heart because my own kids are in college!

Milk-Bone and Canine Assistants

When I watched this video, it really spoke to my heart. Dogs do transform our lives in amazing ways. These dogs have all made their owners’ lives better in ways that they could have never imagined. I know the feeling.

After my husband passed away, Toby was there to comfort me. He wasn’t a little dog, but he would sit on my lap and make me feel safe and calm. When I would be sad and need to stay in bed, Toby would come in with me and make me feel better. He just knew.

I love that Milk-Bone is celebrating their 20th anniversary with Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization that trains and provides service dogs to children and adults with physical disabilities and special needs. This is just one more affirmation that Milk-Bone loves dogs. They want to do more than just be a treat for dogs. Dogs inspire them to care more and be more. They’ve taken what was a treating occasion and made it into so much more…a chance to care. A chance to change the world for so many people.

Do more

Just like Duke inspires me to be more and do more, these dogs do too. Dogs have a way of bringing us together. Just like Duke brings my little bus stop tribe together, dogs can help people open up to each other…to connect. They don’t care how you look or if you are different. Dogs love you and care for you in spite of it all. Be more.

What do you think about the Milk-Bone video? What is your favorite scene? How do dogs inspire you to be more? I’d love to hear what you think!