I love dogs. Dogs are cool. When you come home at the end of a rough day, they are happy to see you. They have an unconditional love built into them. They don’t hold any anger or resentment towards you.

Dogs don’t judge. If you make a bad decision, make a mistake or gain a few pounds, your dog will not care. They will love you no matter what. With people, on the other hand, you never know how they will respond your actions. You can always be assured your dogs will love you. They will never judge you for something you say or do. They will be ready to kiss your face and shower you with affection when you come home. Your dog doesn’t care if you jeans don’t fit and you need another size, or if you made a mistake at work that day.

Dogs live simply and eat simply. Food, water and treats is their diet. What could be easier than that! A basic, simple diet with no preparation. Clean drinking water to quench their thirst. Treats galore for doing something as simple as sitting on command or simply just being so darn cute. They sleep when they want and play when they want. They have no stress. They don’t hold grudges. They are the ultimate non-human companion. (I’ve never had a cat, so I cannot make any assumptions about having a kitty companion).

So why the rant on dogs? Why not a New Year’s Eve post? Ok, here I go! Last year, I bought a dog named Kasey. I went to a pet store with my a friend one night and said, “I’ll take that one.” “That one” happened to be my current year and 1/2 old cockapoo! $1,000.00 later I had a puppy that peed everywhere, tore wallpaper off the walls, ate a wall through to the drywall and loved to destroy my clothes (running shorts, shoes, underwear, the works).

When 12/31/2010 came around last year, I had been going through some life major life changes: getting out of teaching ballroom dancing, breaking up with Pete, living in a new place, rejection from my mother and a whole host of other junk. This was my baggage that I was carrying around with me. I was at a point in my life where I was completely unhappy with where I was at. At the end of 2010, I resolved to make 2011 the best year ever and thought that anything would be better than 2010 was.

So was 2011 the best year ever? No. I wouldn’t say any year has been the best year ever. It was a good year. I moved on from last year’s struggles, grown up a little more, learned a lot, accomplished some pretty cool things (like running a marathon) and even got another dog, Bonnie! Like any year, 2011 had it’s struggles and challenges. I would say that 2011 was a unique year, just like 2010, 2009, 2008, etc. back to 1981 (when I was born)!

Dealing with life’s struggles, no matter what they were, I loved coming home to my dog (now dogs) at the end of the day. I knew they were there and would snuggle with me when I’d had a bad day and would celebrate (with treats, of course) with me when I’d had a good day. Dogs live simply. Dogs don’t judge. If you’re happy then they’re happy and if you’re sad then they are by your side hoping you will feel better. Having that companionship at the end of the day became really important to me. Trust, unconditional love and companionship is something as humans that we all seek.

I can say, going into 2012, it’s going to be a unique year and that my amazing dogs will be right by my side, no matter what I do and what choices I make!

Happy New Year to everyone! Make it the most unique year ever!

Sara