I like to bring the readers of this column weekly optimism and uplift. But I admit, I do have my misanthropic moods. Glancing over the headlines, I am in one now.
Sick of people and their problems, I thought I would interview a dog for April 1 (more the fool, I). I didn’t have far to look—fortunately, I have a superlative pooch in my circle, dog-influencer Mako, the wonder pooch. Kaya Suncat, his dog mom, met me at my house with Mako and a bugling bag of his favorite snacks and assorted toys.
Cincinnatus Hibbard: Mako, opening question: Will we be able to stop Trump?
Mako : …
Will we be able to reverse environmental devastation?
… [Mako runs in a circle, clockwise, chasing his own tail.]
Will AI liberate or enslave humanity?
…
Mako. Mako… Who’s a good boy? Who’s a good boy?
[Mako yips and hops up.]
Woof woof you. Woof woof you.
Their tendency to wet on newspapers or tear them up can’t be taken for a political statement. Our dogs’ ignorance of the issues is part of their charm. But if they can’t read newspapers, they can read our energy, and the pure presence that they offer us is a great gift in this over-talked world. And so I turned to Kaya Suncat, who had gathered Mako up into her lap.
Girl, I know you have been going through it. Tell me how Mako supports you…
Kaya Suncat: When I get home from work, Mako is right there by the door, waiting to give me a hug, and he’ll lick my face, and I will come right back into gratitude that I have this cute little fluffy doggie—and everything seems OK. [Laughs brightly.]
Do you consider yourself his dog mom?
I am a dog worshipper [laughs], and yes, he is my dog son—although I think he is nonbinary.
What jobs does he have in your household ?
He is a furry doorbell, he is a flycatcher and he is a towel—if you get out of the shower, he will lick the water droplets off of you.
As well as being a perfect lapdoggie.
He loves to cuddle and get petted all day. He’s my little teddy bear. He likes to be held like a baby when I need emotional support or be my pillow.
How old is he?
He’s three years old—and a Virgo. Before I got him, I dreamed of him. I didn’t see him in the dream, but I felt his energy, and at the end of the dream I said, ‘Time to come home, Mako.’ When I woke up, I opened my Instagram, and his picture was at the top of my feed [laughs]. I always told the universe that I would have a Pomeranian and a Shiba Inu. I never thought the universe would put the two breeds in one.
Although Kaya and I are old friends, I found myself asking the same old questions strangers ask each other over their butt-sniffing dogs at the park. While there can be concern that inward-turning people can focus their love on their dogs instead of each other, dogs provide us with one of the very few ways that strangers can still spontaneously connect. Love of our pets is one of the things that make us human.
Learn more:Mako is a dog-influencer. His instagram is @makothefirst. His influence is to make us want to be better people (who actually deserve our pets). He was adopted from @lovesecondchances. Consider donating to them or to your local humane society.
