The One and Only Bob

by Katherine Applegate

But size ain’t everything. It’s swagger. Attitude. You gotta have the moves.

It’s no coincidence that man’s best friend can’t talk.

I did my bed boogie. Dogs don’t feel right till we do a quick dance before settling.

It’s amazing how much the sheer will not to die can keep you moving.

The way I understand things, it’s like this. We live on a lonely ball called Earth, and humans have basically been throwing it against the wall for so long that the poor ol’ ball is falling apart.

I can practically taste the storm coming through the open window: the back-of-my-throat tingle, the metallic edge, the fizzy energy.

It’s as if the air is up to no good, sneaking up on the world and looking for trouble.

searching for invisible truths.

We smell feelings, too. Sad has a sharp scent, with an undertone of sweetness. Sad smells like being lost in a winter forest as the sun goes down.

And happy? Happy is the best, but there’s a touch of wistfulness around the edges. Happy smells like bacon ice cream served up in an expensive leather shoe.

You’re going to love every minute of it, but you know it won’t last forever.

Humans love it when we get silly. I think they’re so weighed down by people problems that sometimes they need to be reminded what happy looks like.

tail between his legs, cowering, saying, I’m sorry I love you I am yours yours yours with his whole dog being.

When you forgive, you lose your anger, and when you lose your anger, you get weak. And when you’re weak, you can get hurt all over again.

I hate that I’m not the guy my friends think I am. The guy the world expects.

That’s the best kind of snooze, if you ask me. Good, warm, safe-in-someone’s-arms sleep.

When you’ve been through the worst with someone, you appreciate the best.

He has these dark brown, deep-set eyes, really kind ones. Eyes that make you wanna admit things. Confess to your failures.

You don’t see that with humans, obviously. Constantly seeing differences where none exist. All those things like skin color? Dogs could care less. You think I won’t hang with a dalmatian ’cause he’s spotted? Or a shar-pei ’cause she’s wrinkled?

Life is short. Play is good. And there are plenty of tennis balls to go around.

Sometimes nothing is the worst sound in the world.

There’s a certain freedom that comes with owning your faults.

“I can sleep anywhere. It’s a gift.”

I’ve had to forgive myself plenty, just, you know, to get through the day.”

I figure if I’m going to forgive myself, I’d better be ready to cut everyone else some slack, too.”

She looks the way I want to feel.

It’s exhausting, all this responsibility, this worry. This love.