Being Myself

I know it may surprise you, but sometimes I feel a little pressure to be "more normal." I see other dogs acting like... well... dogs... and I think "Okay, Dunky, you can do this...you can act like a dog." So, I pretend for a minute to jump all over people when they walk in the door (I see my brother do that and assume that's what dogs do but in the end I'm far too polite and never jump). Or, I pretend like I'm going to play fetch but end up just chasing the ball and dropping it within 1 foot of where I got it. One time I saw my brother barking at a tree, so I started barking at a different tree assuming that's what dogs do (turns out he was barking at a squirrel in a tree and I was barking at nothing).

Sometimes people seem annoyed with me because I'm different. That makes me want to just blend in and try to go with the crowd. You know what I've realized over the years, though? My weird is what connects me to my people. I can admit I'm a pretty weird dog. Lately when mom walks into a room, she finds me sitting perfect like someone is taking my picture. You know who's taking my picture? No one. It's just one of my quirks. Oftentimes my mom will feel someone staring at her, look up, and see I'm peeking around a corner. Not fully in the room. Just creepin'. Is that the most normal thing to do? I've been told no, but ya wanna know what makes mom laugh out loud? Me peeking around corners and posing for non-existent pictures.

I mean this in a loving way- my mom is a little bit weird too. Our mutual weirdness is what brings us together and makes things work. I do believe there are different kinds of weird and the sooner you find your match, the easier you can breathe. You can relax into fully being yourself. This is what to look for in friendships and what to look for at family gatherings. You find the same type of weird and hold onto them! Well, not literally because that might be TOO weird, but you know what I mean.

So, today your homework is to embrace your quirks- even those things you try to hide from others, and be yourself.

You are enough. You are worthy of love. Your weirdness is something to celebrate, not hide.

Me creepin' around the couch :