Monday, May 9, 2016

Two Hearts, One Beat

I'm pretty darn sure I'm not the only person who has at one time or another had the urge to say, "I was right!" or "I told you so!" I'm also pretty darn sure I'm not the only person who has practically had to sit on my own tongue to keep myself from doing just that. I wonder why humans are like that, you know ... why so many of us have this overwhelming desire to prove we're smarter or richer or wiser or more powerful than someone else. Pride maybe? Actually, I don't think it's pride at all ... I think it's insecurity. I think it's feeling unworthy or not good enough or less than someone else that causes people to constantly feel the need to prove themselves smarter or richer or wiser or more powerful. Having said that, I must rank off the scale in being insecure because I'm itching like a dog with fleas to shout a gigantic "I was right!" followed by an even more loud and gigantic "I told you so!" to everyone who's told me I'm a few fries short of a Happy Meal for feeling such a strong heart connection to the extra special dogs who've been a part of my life.

A week or so ago, there was a lot of hype in the news about a recent study concerning the heartbeats of dogs and those of their owners. According to the study, the hearts of dogs beat with the same rhythm as those of their owners when the dog and the owner are together. Finally ... scientific proof that says Ollie's heart beats in sync with mine, which means ... wait for it ... I was right! I guess technically the study doesn't specifically mention Ollie and I, but it does say that the heartbeats of dogs and their owners sync up. As far as I'm concerned, that's the same as saying that my heart and Ollie's heart beat together as one. And guess what the study says happens when a dog and its human companion are separated? Yep ... the rhythm of dog's heartbeat changes drastically. And get this ... it only takes a few minutes for the dog's heartbeat to get back in sync with its owner's when they're reunited.

Whether you're a dog person or not, the whole hearts beating in sync thing is just pretty flipping cool. Ever since I read about the study, I keep wondering why it happens ... what causes the dog's heart to beat in sync with the heart of its owner? Is it nothing more than a physical response of some unknown origin? Or could it be possible that there really is a heart connection between dogs and their owners? And could that heart connection exists because of the unconditional love a dog has for its owner? You know what I think? I think unconditional love wields far more power than any of us humans can even begin to comprehend. I think unconditional love can bring about remarkable changes ... like replacing anger with forgiveness ... sorrow with joy ... selfishness with compassion ... ignorance with understanding ... fear with hope ... and yes, hate with love. 

You know what else I think? I think the world would be a much better place if people were more like dogs. Just think about it ... if our hearts could beat in sync with one another's ... if we could love others more than we love ourselves ... if we could be happy each time we see each other ... the possibilities are truly endless, friends. Just think about it.

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