I haven’t always been like this. 

It’s a new thing, a new way of identifying myself. I’m still getting used to the title, trying it on for size, and seeing how it fits my frame. 

Dog person. 

I wasn’t always one of them. I didn’t grow up with pets or furry friends, so this newfound passion and population I’ve joined is new for me. I used to cringe when people would scroll through albums of their dogs, convinced everyone else was as invested as they were. That is, until Mitch’s family dog.

And. Oh. My. Goodness. 

Not to be dramatic, but my life has been forever marked, changed, and illuminated. I have never known a joy or love like this. It’s an overwhelming, squeal-worthy, tear-inducing kind of love.

At first, I didn’t know what to do with this precious pup, Alli. Do I hold her? If so, how does that work? Do I grab her from the side or from her little booty? What about her tail? Can I touch her stomach—is it clean? Does she bite? Scratch? Will she even be interested in me? 

In between my slew of mental questions, I’d give her a little pet here or there. But to paint a clear picture of this transformation, let’s just say I wouldn’t be mad if she were on the floor while we were on the couch. I honestly wondered how/why Mitch loved her so much. I mean—sure—she was cute, but I just didn’t get it. 

Until. 

Until Mitch and I both lived at his parent’s house leading up to our wedding. Slowly but surely, I fell for the darling dachshund. Suddenly, everything about her became endearing.

Her chocolate marble eyes. 

Her tiny paws (I could faint just thinking about them).

Her fluffy mane when her hair grows out.

Her adorable panting when she’s playing.

Her stuffy-nosed morning noises. 

Her most snuggle-icious snuggles.

The way her entire body wiggles when she runs. 

And when she puts her chin on my arm—game over. Adorable overload. 

Once our special bond started growing, I was all in. To date, I’ve called her every name in the book, and then some. Peanut. Pumpkin. Precious. Petunia. Nugget. Miss Mason. Miss Muffet… You get it. 

See! Now I’m going on and on, the kind of person I used to wonder about, listing all the reasons I adore this pup. I can’t fully explain the transformation of becoming a dog person, but I now have a personal understanding of the old adage, “A dog is a man’s best friend.” I didn’t see this abrupt, unbridled joy and uncontainable adoration coming. But God did.

He knew there would be such a joy for such a time as this. He knew this four-legged friend would expand my heart in ways I didn’t think it could stretch or grow. When He wrote the story of all my days at the beginning of time, He specifically, intentionally added in this storyline. It’s one of great delight, innumerable smiles, and a swooning heart.

Our lives are ever-evolving, winding stories of hope and resurrection, and sometimes we must go through hardship, hurt, and suffering to become the people God created us to be. It’s not always fun, but it’s always worth it. It brings me great comfort that God knows everything coming down the pipeline—He’s gone before us. But what’s even more profound is the fact He knows all the joy we have yet to experience. He knows all the people, situations, places, and yes—even pets—that will bring us boatloads of delight, gratitude, and heart-swelling love. He knows every single thing that will ever make us smile. That’s pretty radical. 

We can get so caught up in the details of daily life, our to-do lists, and tumultuous trials that it can be easy to lose sight of future joy. The truth is that this isn’t all there is. There is more belly-deep laughter ahead. There will be new friendships that change us for the better. Opportunities we never could have imagined, a depth of joy we never knew we could reach. 

He knows. He cares. And not only does He know what’s coming—He authored the pages of the story, of every brilliant, marking moment. If you find yourself in a season of “sameness” or a time of great trial, depression, and/or apathy, take heart. May you hold onto this breadcrumb of hope. May you rest in the truth and goodness that this isn’t all there is—your future joy has already been accounted for and perfectly sculpted by the Maker of Heaven and Earth. 

May we seek the heart of Jesus exactly where we are today, holding fast to the truth that we don’t need perfect circumstances to get a spoonful of Heaven-sent glory and joy. We just need Him. 🤎