“The dogs were good again this week!”
Those are the seven words I most look forward to hearing every Friday. For the past few years, Matt Nelson and his “We Rate Dogs” account on social media have brightened my days – bringing laughter and happiness at a time when I needed it most. His Friday videos highlight the top five weekly stories of dogs doing funny or quirky things or showing the loyalty, bravery and heroism for which they are so loved.
This man rates dogs for a living. He has millions of loyal followers
I’ve always been a dog lover. I grew up with dogs and know firsthand how life takes on a whole new meaning when you come home to a wagging tail, wet nose and eyes full of unconditional love each day.
First, there was Ginger. My parents brought the calm, loving dog with chocolate brown eyes and a lush, fan-like tail home when I was just 8 years old. We grew up together and she was part of our family day in and day out for years. I was in college when we had to say goodbye, and it was the first true heartbreak of my life. She’d been with me through my formative years and beyond but, at 17 years old, she let us know when it was time to let her go.
A few years later, along came Toby to fill the void in our lives. The feisty little Shih-tzu was adorable beyond words and full of personality. He was our source of love, companionship and entertainment for 12 years until yet another unbearable heartbreak.
Lastly, there was Freddie – a little, black, wire-haired rescue dog afraid of his own shadow. I don’t know what he’d been through before he came to us, but he never fully got over that anxious, worried nature – even after years in a home with love, food, the best of care and all the belly rubs he could ask for.
When you lose a beloved dog, the grief hits unbelievably hard. Just as hard as when you lose a special person in your life. Because dogs are family. They are our furry companions through all of life’s ups and downs, a calm and steady source of unwavering support. A dog never lets you down, a dog is never cruel or unkind, a dog never hurts your feelings – until you have to tell them goodbye.
I often lamented and wondered why dogs couldn’t live as long as people do. But one day I realized it’s because they don’t have to. They’ve already got it all figured out. They know how to love without limits, how to live in the moment and how to show their love, loyalty, devotion and appreciation without reservation.
Freddie’s death seems to have affected me the most, although I’m not quite sure why. Maybe it’s because the months before losing him were so traumatic as he developed diabetes, then lost his sight and hearing. Or maybe because I’m older now – more cognizant of my own mortality – and more aware of the need for love in our lives.
It’s nearly two years later and I’m still having a hard time dealing with life without Freddie. I still think I hear him trotting down the hall to come to my room or sniffing at the door when I come home.
When I stumbled on Matt and his “We Rate Dogs” account, I was deep in that despair. Little did I know that the sweet photos and silly captions of dogs around the world would help me navigate the grief of losing Freddie – and all my dogs – by reaffirming just why they are so beloved. Seeing their stories of adventures, funny quirks and heroic tales is a source of joy and laughter each day. It heals my heart one little patch at a time.
Life is strange and so different now without a dog. This is the longest stretch of time I’ve been without one in my life, and right now I’m not sure if another one is in my future.
But I crave that love and attention that comes with a dog. I seek them out when I’m at the park, at the store or just walking around the neighborhood. Seeing Buddy the therapy dog at my work every Tuesday is a highlight of my week. I look for any opportunity I can find to connect with dogs.
So when a “tell your dog i said hi” sticker popped up in the “We Rate Dogs” online store, I eagerly bought one and slapped it on my car. Since then, I’ve noticed other vehicles sporting the same sticker, including my next-door neighbor’s cars. I’m still waiting for a driver to pull up next to me, roll down their window and inform me that they will tell their dog I said hi – but I hope that’s coming soon.
The sticker and its message have become somewhat of a movement. Occasionally, videos show up on Matt’s site of people seeing the stickers on vehicles and returning home to film their dog’s reactions when they tell them “hi” from the strangers. Those videos are always among my favorites. Dog people just have that special type of connection.
And the best thing about supporting “We Rate Dogs” with its “tell your dog i said hi” merchandise is that proceeds benefit sick and needy dogs through its nonprofit 15/10 Foundation. It’s gratifying to know that, in some small way, you’re helping to heal dogs that heal our hearts every day.
