🐾 The Dog and Me

Learning to Trust the Bark

There’s a huge Rottweiler that keeps us company here at C’s house.

He’s a character—moody with strangers, hilarious with me.
When someone walks by on the street, his whole face goes dark, like thunderclouds behind his eyes.
But the moment I jump in the pool, he lights up.
Starts sprinting laps around the water like a possessed guardian angel.

He’s teaching me something, I know.

At first, I was unsure. His bark is loud. He shows his teeth.
He even charges at me as I’m climbing out of the water.

But slowly, I’ve come to understand:
his bark is just his voice.
His teeth—just present. Not a threat.
And his running? It’s pure excitement. A dance.

When I step outside the pool, wet and fresh, he comes toward me with full enthusiasm—
and instead of biting, he nudges me lovingly with his head.

It’s all him. Dog. Honest. Unapologetic.

And in that, I learn:
Don’t project fear.
Stay calm in the presence of power.
Let others have their bark—but don’t lose your center.

New lessons taken:
They can come close.
They can show teeth.
But I am the one who stays calm.
Grounding inside.
Listening.
Relaxed.