As to the world of dog ownership, I am new to the space. Oreo is the first dog I have owned. Since I grew up in apartment complexes that didn’t allow dogs, I haven’t been around them much either. I have had several cats throughout my life, so I’ve considered myself more of a “cat person who now owns a dog.” 

Cats tend to be very choosy about who they spend time with. If we had people over, the cat would consider the most quiet and steady moving person to grace with its presence. Our dog is opposite, the more you react, the more he wants to be with you, and on you, and lick you and smell you and be your friend. Friend!

This really becomes apparent when I take him out for walk. If Oreo sees a person that ignores him, he will continue in a somewhat straight line. But if that person makes eye contact, he will drag me towards them with all of his sixty pounds. If they verbally affirm his existence, then he will like them with a thousand likes. I’m sorry, did I say likes? I mean, licks. If they somehow managed to learn his name, either from talking to me, or the context clue of the bone-shaped medallion around his neck that says “Oreo” and I am done with walking by myself. 

Sometimes, I take him to the dog park, which is an off-leash area where dogs can roam and play. He definitely enjoys playing with the other dogs, but he also goes about and greets all of the humans.

Humans at the dog park are often more open to dogs than they are into other humans. So like parents at the playground, we lightly chat about each other’s pets. I don’t even know most of the human’s names, but I have at least a dozen dog names tucked away in my mind. Oh look, it’s Cinnamon’s Mom. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Bandit’s Dad. How’s Lucy? Still chasing cars, I see. 

The thing about Oreo’s affection is that it is not withheld for reasons humans judge each other. He doesn’t care that you slept in bed a or car last night, if dress differently, who live with, or how much you earn. He likes you just as you are, truly.