Notes from the Sideline

When we brought Misty home, she was quiet. Not in the peaceful, content kind of way. In the “I’ve never been allowed to take up space” kind of way. She didn’t bark. She didn’t play. She didn’t explore. She just... existed. Misty had spent her life on a concrete floor, used for breeding. Producing litters. That was her job. No toys. No beds. No soft hands reaching to pet her just because she was loved. Her worth was measured by what she could give—not who she was. She didn’t even know what grass was. The first time she stepped onto it, she froze. Stared down like she couldn’t quite believe the ground had changed. Maybe it felt too soft. Maybe it felt too free. She didn’t know what to do with toys. Or treats. Or praise. But love? That, she figured out fast. And one morning, it happened. I was making breakfast—eggs, like always. Misty was sitting nearby, just watching. Then out of nowhere, she let out a howl. Not a bark. Not a whimper. A deep, echoing demand for scrambled eggs. I laughed ...

Here's Harvey. He’s not in my lap. Not begging. Not barking. Just close. Head on the back of the couch. Eyes soft. Still. And his paw? It’s barely touching my leg. Not pressing. Not pulling. Just resting there. Light as air. Warm as memory. You might miss it if you weren’t paying attention. But I didn’t. And it stopped me cold. Melanie told me something the other day. She said he’s been laying by the front door more often—just staring. Quiet. Still. Not to go outside. But waiting for me. That broke something open in me. Because this season? It’s full throttle. Summer doesn’t slow down when you run a handyman and landscaping business. Early mornings. Long days. Clients stacked back to back. I’m building something real. Something that puts food in the fridge, keeps the lights on, gets the kids what they need, and maybe—if I keep grinding—lets my wife retire a little sooner. And I tell myself, I’m doing this for them. But here’s the hard truth that sneaks up on you in the ...

Cocoa Rose wasn’t a loud dog. She didn’t bark for attention, didn’t perform tricks for praise, and never chased after people just to be noticed. She simply showed up—quiet, steady, loyal—and settled into my life the way dusk settles over water. Not flashy. Just... right. She wasn’t a “people dog.” Guests earned side-eye. I earned her trust. And night after night, without fanfare, she claimed the same spot: my lap. Always the same gentle weight, the same soft sigh, the same stillness that calmed the whole room. And here’s the part I’m ashamed to admit: for years, I didn’t fully get it. The Dog Who Gave Everything Without Asking for Much Cocoa didn’t care if I was halfway listening or doomscrolling through headlines. As long as she could curl up beside me, she was content. That’s the great thing about dogs, isn’t it? They don’t need your resume or your focus group-tested version of love. They love you distracted. They love you when you’re cranky, tired, distant. They love you when your m...