My dog taught me to be present

I used to rush through everything, emails, meals, conversations. Always distracted, always behind. Until I got a dog. Bruno didn’t care about deadlines. He cared about sniffing every blade of grass. Watching squirrels. Feeling the sun on his face. At first, I tugged on the leash. “Come on, let’s go.” But one day I just… stopped. I stood there with him, under a tree. I looked up. I listened to the birds. I felt the breeze. For the first time in a long time, I exhaled. Now, our walks are sacred. No phone. No agenda. Just two souls moving through the world at their own pace. Bruno doesn’t speak, but he’s taught me more than most people ever have: Slow down. Look up. Savor this moment. Because it won’t come again.