The post today is the guest perspective of my Havanese-Maltese (Havamalt) dog, Oliver. He is begging to share how social distancing impacts his life. I finally acquiesced. So, here’s Oliver! He says:

The last few weeks have been so weird for me. Mr and Mrs were gone for a long time and I lived with the girl, Katlyn and her man, Zac. I didn’t like it. So when Mr and Mrs came home, I was elated. There is nothing like home.

But it’s been different. Mrs is around all the time. When she does leave, it isn’t for long and many times she takes me with her. I love it! We do have those little ones here more often and that can be hard for me. The littlest one, they call her Harper, moves all over the house and sometimes she gets close to me. She is kind of noisy and she grabs my fur with her little fists and pulls. I don’t like it. Twice I had to yelp at her to tell her. She didn’t even care but Mrs really jumped and yelled. I didn’t get it. I wasn’t even talking to her. Sometimes when the little one is sleeping I like to curl up next to her and take a nap. She’s warm.

This week Mr started staying home all day. He walks around the house and talks on that little black box, but it’s great to have him here. If Mrs goes somewhere, he is at home. I never have to be alone. Lot’s of times I curl up at his feet and sleep. These days it seems I can always find someone to lay down next to while I nap. This is a great life.

Mr and Mrs eat at the table a lot more which means I get scraps more often. If I hang around while they eat and remind Mrs I am waiting, she often gives me a little bit of something. People food is delicious.

Every day Mr and Mrs go for a walk and they take me along. I love getting out in the fresh air. It’s exhausting to have the people home all the time, but I am getting used to it. I hope life stays this way. Thanks to Mrs for letting me share!

Perspective. It’s true. We all experience life differently. Those aspects of isolation that are difficult for me, will not be for you. But however you are experiencing it, it’s important to own your feelings. Acknowledge and allow yourself to have them. It’s all okay.

Buried emotions will kill you. Not literally, but figuratively. Pretending I am not sad, lonely, angry, afraid, worried, etc. prevents me from moving beyond the feelings into a better place. It’s as if I ignore gangrene and then wonder why my fingers are rotting and falling off.

Here is a little encouragement for you today. Together we are better and together we can do this hard thing!

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.

1 Peter 1:3-6