30 days of self-love: my dog

In a loving-kindness meditation I was doing this morning, I was guided to look upon my life as if I would a best friend, as a way to evoke a real love and acknowledgement of myself and the love I deserve. It has been a great tool for me to practice talking to myself the same way I do to the people I hold most precious to me. To hold my journey in the same reverence I do of the amazing people I am surrounded by.

So, I thought about best friends. And I thought who would say the kindest, most unconditionally loving things about me? The answer is this sweet girl, Lorei.

Tonight’s self-love practice is a love letter from Lorei to me. She has seen me at my most impatient, my most out of control, and in my most despairing moments, and she loves me wholly and unconditionally, as I am, however I am.

Dear Melissa,

You are the best person I know. When you come home after you have been gone for so long, the feeling I get inside is bursting happy. I have to wiggle and jump and spin in circles and lick and sometimes bark because I can’t hold the happy in my body. If you wonder why I usually follow you when you leave a room, it’s because I like to keep in my sights because you make me feel safe, and you are my home. Also, because sometimes when you leave, you’re going to the backyard and I always like to go outside, especially if I am with you.

I have to tell you a secret. Sometimes when you are feeling really lonely and sad, it makes feel a little happy too because that’s when I’m allowed to sleep on the bed, and when you let me lick your face, and then I even get to sleep close to you. I hope that doesn’t make you think I am a bad dog.

I am so happy to be with you. You are the best human I ever met. You always take care of me, and you treat me so kind. You make me feel loved. Thanks for taking me for so many walks, and on so many trips, to see my dog friends far away and at the parks. Even when I know it’s time for you to brush my teeth or give me a bath, I still always come to you because I trust you and I know you will never hurt me. I love you.

Love, Lorei.

P.S. Fitz loves you too, he just can’t help it that he gets mad sometimes and bites and scratches us and ruins your clothes and plants. He’s actually pretty nice.