The Lights Are On But No One’s Home

This is Peanut Butter Brickle. Have you ever been in a mood? For like a decade? That’s me.

I’m not what you would call a people person. Or a people dog. I like people. But on my terms. For like five minutes.

I know Girl Person understands. She says it takes a lot of effort for her to socialize. To talk out loud to individuals other than dogs. It takes most of her energy. So I wondered. Why do persons think dogs are any different? We aren’t all as social as Digby Pancake.

I’m certainly not all bright and sunshiney all the time. In fact, sometimes the lights are on. But no one is home.

We all have our comfort level. Some days you feel like a candle.

Some days you feel like a nightlight.

Some rare days you might feel like a fluorescent light. I do not.

I can be moody. But I am my own person. Just because our dogs have no say in the circumstances they are put in doesn’t mean we are ok with everyone and everything. Recognize your dog as an individual. Know their limits. Not everyone lights up in the same way.

Don’t put them in situations they are not comfortable with and expect a less than perfect reaction.

I will come clean. I’m not in the mood to be at my best and socialize all of the time. But who is? Don’t expect more of others than what is realistic.

If the lights are on, that doesn’t mean anyone is home. It may be a candle. A nightlight.

But remember to show others respect by acknowledging their boundaries and individual personalities.

If you turn your light on, it may help illuminate the path for others. Show respect to all individuals. And know you also don’t have to be perfect and sunshiney all of the time. We all need to rest. We all need to just be.

–Peanut Butter Brickle

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