We asked a dog to pull aside the shroud of secrecy and be interviewed. He asked that his name not be used, but for the good of all dogs he agreed to share these ten insights with humans.

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful to me. Remember that before you buy me.

2. Give me some time to understand what you want from me.

3. Place your trust in me. It’s crucial to my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long, and don’t isolate me as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I only have you.

5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understand your words - I understand your voice.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will not be able to forget it.

7. Remember before you hit me that I have powerful teeth, but I choose not to use them.

8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be wrong with me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, or I’ve been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting older and weaker.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You’ll be old one day.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: “I can’t watch - it’s too painful.” Everything is easier when you are with me.

And through it all:
Remember that I love you.

We all go through disappointments, setbacks and things we don’t understand. Maybe you prayed for a loved one, but they didn’t get well. Or maybe you worked hard for a promotion, but you didn’t get it. You stood in faith for a relationship, but it didn’t work out. One of the best things you can do is release it and let it go. If you go around dwelling on it, wondering why this didn’t work out, why my loved one didn’t get healed, why I didn’t get that promotion, all that’s going to do is lead to bitterness, resentment and self-pity. Before long you’ll be blaming others, yourself, and maybe even God. You may not have understood it. It may not have been fair. But when you release it, it’s an act of your faith. You’re saying, “God, I trust You; I know You’re in control. And even though it didn’t work out my way, You said that all things are going to work together for my good. So I believe You still have something good in my future.”

Proverbs 20:24 says, “Since the Lord is directing our steps, why do we try to figure out everything that happens along the way?” God has you in the palm of His hand. He is directing you every step of the way. That disappointment may not have been fair, but it’s all a part of your divine destiny. If you will let it go and move forward, then you’re going to come into something awesome that God is about to do; not ordinary like you had planned, but extraordinary like God has planned.

-Joel Osteen

Treat your girl right, bro. Plain and simple. I know it can be hard to please her sometimes, but it’s worth it in the end. Remember that she’s your happiness, your world. She should be the first person you talk to in the morning, and the last person you whisper “Good night” to. Unlike some of your bros, she’s going to be there for you when you’re the happiest, but more importantly, when you’re at your lowest. She’ll cook for you and care for you, so treat her like a queen. Girls are delicate creatures. Think before you say. Think before you act. They take every little mistake you make and multiply it by a thousand. So try not to mess up, alright?

When you’re fighting, sometimes it’s better to put your relationship before your own pride. You’re not helping yourself by making her upset, bro. And never, ever, under any condition, let her go to sleep crying. She’ll resent you for it for the rest of your days. Don’t forget to make her feel special everyday. Open doors, go shopping with her. Hell, make dinner for her! The more you show her you love her, the more she’ll give you in return. Remember that an “I love you” via text is never as special as one in person. And show her off to your bros, don’t be ashamed of her. She’s never been ashamed of your dorky ass. Look, she doesn’t really need much in a relationship; she just wants to feel like she matters to you. That’s not asking for much, bro.

But if you haven’t learned a thing from reading this, remember this. Love her unconditionally, loyally, and keep her close. Love her with everything you’ve got: emotionally, mentally, and physically. Because I swear, if you won’t treat your girl right, someone else definitely will.