During an early evening out with a friend of mine, we began discussing the oddities of life and, as we usually do when we get together, just how unusual our friendship is. The pairing of us is beyond opposite attraction. He is the quintessential nerd: a bit socially awkward and too smart for his own good; he's truly one of the most intelligent people I've ever come across. This is precisely why I like to listen to him speak. While hearing him talk, I ponder about his perspectives, especially because they are so different than mine. Our friendship is like one of those weird abstract pictures psychologists tell you to look at and explain what you see. Some view nothing but a literal splatter of ink (which, in my opinion, is complete lack of creativity, or, perhaps, effort) while others see elaborate spectacles. While I assume neither of us would respond effortlessly, I would bet money (and I don't have much of it) that he'd catch something I overlooked or paid no attention to. He's a detail guy, and although I am one to overthink and read between the lines (even when lines aren't given) and emphasize elaboration, particularly in writing and my teaching of writing, I often try to think simply. When I dive into the details and specifications of everything, I become immensely curious and intellectually entertained, but also anxious and overwhelmed. It's a twister of emotions, so when I am not wearing my "teacher" or "student" hat, I try to calm my thoughts with simplicities.

As the dinner discussion continues, he asks me something he'd probably been wondering for years: "So why are you a dog person?" I laughed and responded with the basic response of most dog lovers, "Because dogs are AWESOME!!! How can you NOT love dogs??!"

But I don't blame him for asking. He (from what I know about him and from what I can assume about most people) is pretty "normal" about his feelings towards animals. He seems like the average-dog-liking/tolerating-don't want them abused-individual. He persisted for a more comprehensive answer, "I have a theory on why people tend to like dogs as you do, but I wonder if there's something I am not seeing." Looking back at it now, I should have asked him what that theory was, but my ADHD kicked in and I began to really wonder, "Why exactly do I love dogs so much?"

I went home and snuggled with my (fur)babies, Walter and Betsy, and I continued to think, trying to analyze my own feelings and actions. I remembered the first time it was brought to my attention how much I adored dogs. I was in high school (already an avid dog and animal lover) and one guy said to me, "What else do you like as much as you do dogs?"

It was a good question. I liked a lot of things, I loved a lot of things, but as a knee-jerk reaction, I blurted out, "I think the question is actually what do YOU love as much as I do dogs?"

He stood there, smirking, contemplating. I could see his brain turning, trying to catch at anything that stood a chance. He was quiet for a moment, and then shrugged; "I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know? What do you love? What do you do, or what things make you happy?" And again, he looked baffled. "Maria, I honestly can't think of anything I love as much as you do dogs… and I never realized how sad that is. I should have something that brings me that kind of happiness. At first, I thought you were a little mental, but now I actually feel sorry for myself..."

I never again thought of his question with the sense of simplicity. Without even thinking about it, I challenged his question in a way that then challenged him – and me. If dogs provided me with so much happiness... why? And that happiness, why aren't more people experiencing it, too? Not necessarily with dogs (even though they are obviously the best choice) but with anything: art, movies, sports, literature... cats)?

I feel happiness with my love for dogs every day. I get excited when I see pictures of dogs, see owners walking their dogs, see commercials with dogs, spot paw prints, visit the dog aisle at Walgreens, see dog posts on Facebook… You name it. I love it all. It just brings me SO. MUCH. JOY. It brightens my day – and I finally know why.

Dogs are simple.

Being a person that suffers from anxiety and depression, I (as mentioned earlier) overthink everything; my overthinking thoughts then fly rapidly through my brain (probably because of my ADHD) and I can become depressed because I don't feel like I can catch up – not to mention it is exhausting. In the mix of all this, I find myself dwelling on societal issues and feeling sad for the world. I know I am not the only one. Many of my friends refuse to watch the news because it's always reporting horrific events. Especially now; it's summertime in Chicago and just within the last four days there has been over 100 people wounded by gunshots. My heart aches when I hear these kinds of stories. I struggle to emotionally comprehend why all of this is happening, even though I logically know the reasons are deeply rooted. Yet among all this, I get a glimpse of my dog laying on my bed. Her head is up, ears perked, and she's just watching me, lovingly. Sometimes when she isn't in the same room with me, I see her poke her head in the doorway to check on me. This is the same for Walter. He looks at me with such love that I almost feel it's undeserved. Their kind of love for me is so pure, and I see this with all dogs to their owners. It's a type of loyalty that you can't describe aside from 'undying'.

I've learned so much from dogs. I'm still learning to forgive as well as they do. I have learned that routine is important for well-being, that I need to be more patient at tasks and challenges. I've learned to show love the way I want it given to me, that being affectionate is not a sign of weakness, but one of compassion and strength and respect. Dogs aren't like humans. They aren't complex. If they don't want to be bothered, they will show you. Dogs will communicate to you through gestures and behavior – none of it fake or phony, none of it ill-intended or back-stabbing betrayal. None of it trying to steal your money.

They just want the simple things in life: Love, Food, Play, Sleep.

If you ask me, I think dogs are doing this life thing correctly. I love them because they remind me that all this monetary stuff will be irrelevant when I pass. The little things in life are the most important. If I can continue to idolize these wonderful animals, I will continue to have a happiness most find unparalleled.

That's why I am a dog person.