Happy October friends! I can hardly believe we are headed into another new month – time seems to be flying by! As I trotted along my leaf lined trail this week, I got to thinking about time – how I spend it and who I spend it with. That got me thinking about my best buddy Nixin.
Nix is my closest canine pal. You may think that canines that have similar breeds, run in the same pack. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to me and Nix. I am short and he is tall. I am white and he is black. He is quiet and am LOUD. Nixin and I may not look like we have anything in common, but the truth is we just “get” each other. We haven’t been able to see each other much lately, yet when the two of us reconnect – it is like no time has passed at all.
That’s the great thing about finding a good friend. It doesn’t matter how long it has been since we’ve seen each other or all the various differences between us – we still feel as close as family. When Nixin and I first met, we just “clicked”. Neither one of us were showing off or trying to be faster than each other. We were cool just hanging out and walking around the yard together. True friends don’t need to compete with each other (unless we are in a dog race – of course).
Sure Nix and I have had our disagreements. Like the time I was over at his place and found a ball in the woods. I was pretty excited about my discovery since it was my favorite kind of squeaky ball. Well…as soon as I squeaked it – Nixin came running. Turns out he had lost that ball and had been looking for it for a while. I felt like “finders keepers” rules applied – so I squeaked it in his face a few times. Then Nixin got in MY face and let me know with a few serious growls that it was HIS ball. So, I dropped it pretty quickly and let him have it back. Sometimes being a good friend means you have to compromise.
I like to think that another reason Nix and I are good friends is because we like some of the same things. Plus, since I am a little more high strung, it’s nice to have a friend that is pretty chill. Since he’s a low-key kinda canine – we balance each other out. Even though we can be quite different, we have a lot in common. We bark at the same things, like the same treats, and have each other’s backs when stranger dogs come into the park. Good friends support each other.
One time, when we were at the park – a mutt named Clyde showed up. Nix didn’t like him from the start. He gave him a low growl that let me know something was up. I kept my distance from Clyde, but Nix wanted to investigate. Being a good friend I joined Nixin in the investigation. Bad idea. Clyde turned on my buddy. He started snapping and growling. I got in there to break it up and that mongrel Clyde pounced on me! He had me pinned to the ground! Then the hoomans got involved and broke us apart.
That’s the great thing about having a good friend – they defend you when you need it and lend courage if you don’t have enough of your own. That ordeal with Clyde was a scary situation, but Nixin was right by my side. Guarding me until Clyde’s hooman could get him out of the park. I know Nixin will have my back if I need his help. A good friend is a trustworthy and helps you feel safe.
So friends, as we head into another week, let’s make some time for our friends. I know we are all busy, but take a minute to recognize all the good things about your friends and spend some quality time together. I’m lucky to have a best buddy like Nixin where I can be myself and I know he can be himself too. Friends should love you just the way you are.
I am glad you are my friends too – please share my story with your friends!
Bark at you next week!
Your friend,
Jack Jack Canine Explorer 