Smiling Otto

Who said dogs don't smile? Years ago we had a little brown dachshund named Otto.He was a real favorite of all of us. When I arrived home after teaching all day, Otto would come running down the stairs to greet me, stopping on the third step above the floor. There he would bow and then smile giving me the happiest welcome one could want.
This morning I was reminded of that when I was walking home from the gym, and also reminded of the connection one can make instantly when a dog is around. Coming toward me was a couple with two adorable dachshunds unleashed and trotting along with great abandon. All of us stopped because I needed to comment on the cute little dogs. Yes, they did smile at me when I leaned down to greet each one. When I told the couple we finally had to put Otto down at age 17, they said one of their last ones lived until 18. What joy those little guys give to their owners. Don't tell me they don't know what is going on. That's what the smile means. Try it. Smile at people and see what happens to you.