The Dog Next Door

My neighbors have a dog. He is a beautiful golden retriever!Every time I leave my house or return he runs to the fence between our housesand barks. We have a little ritual, this dog and I. I ask him how his day was orwish him a good morning and I pet him and tell him about my day.

Some days, that dog is the only one who asks how my day was.He is always so happy to see me and genuinely greets me no matter how early orlate in the day it is. Some days we miss each other and he is never angry thatI did not speak to him. He is just happy we are together today!

The odd thing about my friendship with this dog is that I donothing for him. I am not the one who takes him for walks, or gives him baths,or feeds him. I am just his neighbor. I just live next door and greet himeveryday.

I guess this is what being neighbors is all about. I have myhouse. My neighbor has their house, but we care for one another. We are gladwhen we see each other and having a neighbor there to greet me is a bright spotin my day!

I wonder why dogs are such good neighbors? I wonder why, we,as people are not as good. Are we afraid that if we speak, this other personwill expect something from us? Are we too shy to say hello? Or have weforgotten that a warm hello is a gift.

I am going to try and be more like my dog friend. I am goingto try and greet all my people neighbors with the same warmth and joy he doesto me. A warm hello says, “I see you, “ and “You matter!” and is a great giftwe can give to those around us!

There are so many people who wake up each day wondering ifanyone cares for them and if anyone would care if they were even alive. A warmgreeting answers that question for them. What a powerful gift we have togive!  So say “hello” more oftenand make a difference in the life of someone who needs to hear it!