Every afternoon, without fail, Winston, my brindle Great Dane, performs his daily ritual. He goes to the toy basket, sifts through a dozen perfectly good toys, and pulls out one specific, old, worn-out tennis ball. He doesn’t chew it or play with it. He simply carries it in his mouth with the utmost care, finds a spot on the living room rug, and lies down, resting his big chin on it.
At first, I thought it was just a strange habit. A running joke in the family was that it was his “emotional support ball.” But the more I watched him, the more I realized it was so much more. He just cherishes it, holding onto it as if it’s the most valuable thing he owns.
A few weeks ago, I was sitting on the floor, feeling completely overwhelmed by a big project at work. I was stressed and anxious, just staring into space. I didn’t say a word, but Winston must have felt my energy. He quietly walked over to me with his tennis ball, gently nudged my hand, and nudged the ball into my palm. He looked at me with his soft, knowing eyes, and for a moment, the world felt still. He was offering me his most prized possession, a silent gesture of comfort that said, “I’ve got you.”
Some people might not believe it, but in that moment, I knew. Dogs have a way of seeing straight into your soul and offering exactly what you need, without ever having to say a single word.