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When entering a relationship, or even considering it, we always talk about unconditional love. We miss it. We sometimes received it from our parents and more often from grandparents.

As we grew into adulthood, many of us noticed something was missing. We tried therapy. We tried spas and gyms. We tried dating and relationships. Still, something didn’t feel right. But something could have been and it is not too late to make it right.

Have you ever owned a dog or cat? There are no conditions. We may train our dogs and cats, to do certain tricks (it impresses our friends), but have you thought about what they teach us?

You are skeptical. Not to worry. So was I. I never expected to adopt my last dog. He found me. If he hadn’t, I would be a bitter soul today. Instead I went from rural Arkansas to the Hollywood “A” list and I am not exaggerating. People love me. I am doing nothing consciously different. I owned a dog whom I saved; but he really saved me.

I will give you a ridiculous far-out example, but, more often than not, we have our pets spayed or neutered, which is a smart thing, unless we are breeders of them.

But dog is still man’s best friend. Can you imagine having the same procedure done to your own human best friend, and he or she come home and lick you in the face the next day wagging his/her tail and wanting nothing but your love or attention? It is a strange reality but a reality nevertheless. A pet simply wants shelter, food and attention. What we get back is priceless. It is a better investment than Fidelity Mutual Funds in my book.

A dog (and even a cat) loves you simply for being you. There is an old Irish prayer, “Lord, please make me half the man my dog thinks I am”.

And if you think a dog or cat will love you unconditionally, you can take that a step further. Try adopting one from your local shelter. Cats and, it seems especially dogs, have a keen 6th sense and memory that is better than an elephant. They will appreciate you and show you a kind of love you’ve never had, simply for saving them. And believe me, they know. I don’t know how but they do and remember it forever.

My latest stray “Thor”, a mixed breed that I found in the woods in rural Ms just passed away last month. He looked a lot like Benji. That was 12 years ago. He lived, the vet believes, to be almost 22 years old. Ironically, the first Benji, (there have been more) was found not far from where I discovered him. Or he discovered me and won my heart.

After owning Thor a few years, I found people were much more pleasant to me. I thought it was because I had such a cute friendly people-loving dog. Maybe that was a part of it, but the major part of it was Thor had taught me something I had never experienced before, unconditional love on steroids. That dog loved me no matter what.

I am still grieving over the loss of Thor, and will for quite awhile. But I will soon adopt or find another dog and know that I will experience this most unique phenomena that can be found nowhere else. May you have the same blessing.

Rick London is a cartoonist and e-store owner who created the Internet’s top cartoon, Londons Times Cartoons. He focuses a great deal of his work on animal-related cartoons, particularly dogs and cats and manufacturers funny gifts and collectibles with their images. One of his stores that features such dog and cat products as mouse pads, tee shirts, sweats and hoodies, aprons, and much more. A percentage of all sales benefit various animal charities.

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