The other day I was taking one of our new puppies for a walk around the neighborhood. Bella was a stray before she came to us and new people can sometimes seem like a threat. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to her likes and dislikes, but she always warms up after a few minutes. While we were walking we passed someone and she started barking. The first thing out of my mouth, of course, was “I’m sorry.” The very nice lady at me and said “No need to apologize. She’s a dog, that’s what they do.”

That’s when it dawned on me that I was apologizing FOR my dog acting like a dog. And then it also hit me that I do this A LOT in my life. I apologize for other people, or for myself, acting in ways that define our personalities. I apologize for Oliver being too “much” or too loud, or too energetic. I apologize for Max for his strange excitement and intensity. I apologize for Charlotte’s sass (well maybe I should apologize for that one).

I do the same thing with myself. I constantly apologize for facets of my personality that others might not deem important or enjoyable. My dark humor. My introvertedness. My love of sharing hilarious memes. My political views.

But this is where it stops. No more apologizing for being myself. No more apologizing for my people (and animals) living their best life and knowing who they are. We only get to do this once. We may as well have a little fun and surround ourselves with the people who love us just the way we are.