The People Our Dogs Help Us Meet

If you’ve ever had a dog, you probably know this: they’re not just good at connecting with us - they’re amazing at connecting us to others.

Our rescued Akbash, Sammy circa 2008

Back when we lived in a small urban town in New Jersey, our dog Sammy was the best kind of social glue. As a giant white dog, that some compared to Falkor, the Luck Dragon, from The Neverending Story, he was stunning to look at and had an easy charm that drew people in. We couldn’t walk more than a block without someone stopping to pet him or ask what kind of dog he was. It made our neighborhood feel like a community. There was the couple who ran the Chinese restaurant on the corner, and when we’d pass by, they’d run out with cookies just for Sammy (never for our kids – just for the dog, lol). We probably never would have had more than a polite “hello” with them otherwise, but because of Sammy, we’d stand outside chatting, laughing, and getting to know each other. We think they knew Sammy’s name before they knew ours!

Sammy, making his rounds at the local shops

And then there was our friend Ted. He was older, lived alone, and adored dogs. We met him simply by being out on a walk and stopping at a local coffee shop with Sammy. Ted would light up when he saw Sammy, and over time, a real friendship developed between all of us. Ted became family, coming to all of our holiday celebrations over the years. When Sammy passed, we knew Ted, who had passed the year before, would be waiting for him on the other side. With Ted, Sammy wasn’t just a dog—he was a connector, a comfort, a reason to pause and be present with someone we otherwise wouldn’t have met.

Ted and Sammy Circa 2012

When we moved north to New England, the change was striking. Our new neighborhood was more suburban and quieter. Beautiful, yes, but the houses were far apart, there were fewer sidewalks, and not many people just out walking. We missed the daily rhythm of those chance encounters. Our neighbors are lovely, but the casual connections that come from walking your dog past someone’s stoop or chatting on a corner were harder to come by. 

So, we adjusted. We sought out parks and dog-friendly trails. And once again, our dogs became our link to a new circle of people. The conversations often start with, “What’s her name?” or “How old is he?” And before you know it, you’re swapping training tips or walking together around the park, sharing stories. We know so many dogs by name – Koda, Bunker and Gizmo, but often forget the humans’ names. Still, there’s a real affection there, a feeling of community.

Lewie and his new pals at the local dog park

Dogs get us out of the house. They push us past our comfort zones. They give us a reason to stop scrolling, start walking, and look someone in the eye. They help break the ice in a world that can sometimes feel isolating, and they remind us that connection doesn’t always have to be deep to be meaningful. A shared laugh over a muddy pawprint, a quick chat about a favorite toy or treat - those little things add up.

Ron and Mo - sitting curbside, chatting with some new friends

In a time where so much of our communication is virtual, dogs bring us back to the real world, one tail-wagging interaction at a time.

And often, they help us find the people we didn’t know we needed.

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Watch Ron talking about the magic of dogs...