The world is every changing, with stress and anxiety on the rise. Major events have occurred in recent years: world-wide pandemic, major earthquakes, ravaging fires, devastating flooding, economic uncertainty and war. The evening news and social media feeds are full of constant reminders of these significant and impactful events. Our collective mood is affected and many people go into protection mode. Small interactions can be affected and lack the simple positive niceties of the past; people forget to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ or hold open doors for others. Our grumpy and pessimistic mood shows itself in-person and through our online presence. 

 

Let's each make a difference - let’s each start with small acts of kindness toward one another.

 

​Rob (human) and Tango (dog) have been impacted by these challenges times as much as the next person or pet. When out for walks Rob noticed that many people would stop and interact with Tango. These people enjoyed their short interactions petting the dog and chatting. Sometimes they would tell a bit of a story about their day or dogs from their past. Other times they might be visitors to the community and would share stories of where they are from. They almost always expressed gratitude for the experience of interacting with the dog and universally seemed to be in a more positive mood as they carried on with their day. Tango showed he enjoyed these interactions, moving in closer and showing he loved being petted. Rob also got a positive feeling from knowing people benefited from these small interactions.    

 

We can all be a positive change. Simple small actions collectively make a big difference. We can say ‘hello’ when interacting with the store clerk, ask people how their day is going and listen actively to their response, hold the door open for the person behind us, let people merge in traffic who are signaling into our lane, say ‘thank you’ – all of these little things add up. You never know when your small act of kindness will have a profound impact on someone else’s day.   

 

As an emergency planner by profession, Rob has seen the powerful calming effect a pet animal can have on a person suffering from stress in response to a crisis event.  

 

Many religions around the world and many philosophies of life talk about the idea of being kind to one another. The benefits of caring for one another are clear and well understood. In the Christian faith, the teachings of the Bible talk repeatedly about loving one another. The NIV translation of the Bible offers these verses from Matthew 22: 37 - 40.   

 

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  

 

We believe these and other Bible passages that teach this powerful truth. We know, and respect, that many other faith teachings share similar concepts about caring about one another.  

 

We can each live out this idea of being kind to one another. Small interactions make a huge difference in the lives of others, and in our own lives.  

 

In 2023 Rob and Tango moved forward with the Kindness Dogs project.  

 

Tango and Rob say hello!