“So a dog walks into a lobby …”

My lobby to be exact, and I as soon as I laid eyes on said dog the internet nerd that I am, recognized the breed and ‘fan-girled’ the hell out.

“OMG! Is your dog friendly? Can I touch it? Can I take a photo of your dog?”

Yes it was, Yes I could, and sure.

This is the internet version:

Dog wasn’t too interested in me petting it … or touching it to be honest.

I don’t force myself on animals. I don’t grab at them, leer at them or invade their space. 

I’m more of a ‘sit on the floor and offer an appendage then wait to see if they are interested in making contact’ type of girl.

So I sat on the floor, in my dress,  wondering ‘why doesn’t this dog like me? ALL dogs like me!’ Lamely continuing to hold out my hand like there was a chance it would change its mind.

It didn’t.

I told my son about it – his response:

Is that bad?  That my son and I speak ‘internet funnies’?  I knew what he meant obviously. It’s one of my favorites:

So while it wasn’t in the mood for accepting my hand or my love, it was in the mood for a quick photo session.

Here’s the mini-Shiba Inu (“mini-SHIBE!”)

But I digress … about that compliment.

Later in the day, I’m sharing this story with an agent – showing him the photos of the mini-‘doge’ and he proceeds to give me the biggest compliment I’ve had in a very long time.

What you need to know about this man is that he’s very ‘what you see is what you get’ –  to the point of having something awkward or unedited come out of his mouth from time to time.

(Gee, I’d know nothing about that – hold on, don’t slip on the sarcasm.)

Anyway, bottom line, he gets an A+ for authenticity from me.

I love that in a person.

Authenticity.

Love it.

So he’s reminded of a dog themed email he sent me and asks if I got it.

He went on to explain that he sent it because he was sorry he was grumpy that day. 

The way he explained it went a little something like this. 

“You’re the bright, shiny thing here … and I felt bad that I was grumpy.”

Wow.

I’m a bright shiny thing??

Day made.

I’m sharing this because too often we are unaware of what we may mean to someone.

And far too often we fail to tell someone what they mean to us.

I paid it forward by sharing with a dear friend how much they mean to me.

And then made sure to tell the man who complimented me just how much his words meant.

Good work should be complimented when noticed. 

It just takes a few seconds to appreciate someone!

It took six seconds for someone to make my day – and I’m still feeling bright and shiny.

Even though the dog didn’t want me to pet it.