Eighteen Kisses for the Dog

As a dog owner, I frequently find myself smooching my pooches.

One of the best perks of dog ownership is the welcome that greets me when I get home. My dogs state their happiness in whines and wiggles as soon as I cross the threshold. They press close and rub against me, eyes bright with adoration and tails thumping in anticipation. With the slightest encouragement, they will stand on their hind legs to lick my face and draw my embrace. I absolutely can’t get in the house without hugs and pats and kisses all around. Whether I’ve been gone three hours or three weeks, my pooches greet me like I’m made of gold and handing it out.

A Boost to My Ego

That tail-wagging welcome committee gives me a massive ego boost. For a few minutes of barking, leaning, licking chaos, I am the center of their universe. My work day stress does not register on their canine radar. They don’t care about the mistakes and embarrassments I’ve endured that day. In their world I haven’t jammed the copier, spilled my coffee or talked to the boss with spinach in my teeth. The only litany playing in their furry little heads is “Mommy’s home! Mommy’s home!”

Of course, I do not delude myself that this adoration is exclusive. In fact, as soon as Daddy comes home, all of that exuberant display transfers to him, and at a much greater magnitude. When my husband walks in the door, he averages eighteen kisses for the dogs before planting even one on me.

Greeting the Dogs Becomes Tradition

When the children were small, we developed the “Welcome Home” tradition. It started in my stay-at-home mom days as a way for the kids to show Daddy how much they missed him during the day. I vowed that my husband deserved to feel appreciated and nurtured when he came home, and thus was born a daily celebration of his return.

Some days that resolve got flushed like so many dirty diapers. But on the days I had it together the kids and I would take our places to greet Daddy as soon as he entered the house. Our family dog caught the enthusiasm, and learned to prance and bark with us. Eventually, I started restraining him while the kids greeted Daddy. Then they would shout, “Release the hound!” like some grand master of the hunt. I’d turn him loose and join the cheering as dog and Daddy wrestled and cavorted and celebrated their reunion.

Cheaper Than Therapy

We joke that owning dogs is cheaper than psychotherapy. Consider: they are great company if you are lonely. Their loyalty and acceptance negate many self-esteem issues. Petting their fur is a self-soothing coping strategy. Feeding and walking them encourages caring and teaches responsibility. They offer love without conditions, encouragement without explanations, and comfort without words.

Seems like a fair trade for a few kisses at the end of the day.