Loyalty

My neighbor posted (on Facebook) a newspaper clipping of the funeral of an American navy seal. It was a picture of the coffin and above it was a photo showing the young man kneeling beside his dog. Lying in front of the coffin was the dog in the picture. He refused to leave his owner even at the funeral.

I can't seem to stop crying over the emotions this caused to flood through me. You see vivid expressions of loyalty occasionally between human beings but you seem to see it more often in how our dogs in particular take care of us.

That picture said more than you could explain in a thousand words. I think, no, I know that dogs were placed on this earth to teach us self centered humans. This little dog is so genuine in his attachment and grief. There is no thought of sending flowers, notes of condolence, or carefully chosen words for him to honor the man he loves. He just follows his instincts and stays close for as long as he's allowed.

His grief is honorable in it's simplicity.