--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dogs possess a quality that's rare among…" description: "\"“Dogs possess a quality that's rare among humans--the ability to make you feel valued just by being you--and it was something of a miracle to me to be ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b13/caroline-knapp-7652_animal_dogs-possess-a-quality-that-s-rare-among_2720316.jpg" --- # Dogs possess a quality that's rare among humans--the… ![“Dogs possess a quality that's rare among humans--the ability to make you feel valued just by being you--and it was something of a miracle to me to be on the receiving end of all that acceptance. The dog didn't care what I looked like, or what I did for a living, or what a train wreck of a life I'd…” quote by Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b13/caroline-knapp-7652_animal_dogs-possess-a-quality-that-s-rare-among_2720316.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b13/caroline-knapp-7652_animal_dogs-possess-a-quality-that-s-rare-among_2720316.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b13/caroline-knapp-7652_animal_dogs-possess-a-quality-that-s-rare-among_2720316.jpg) > ““Dogs possess a quality that's rare among humans--the ability to make you feel valued just by being you--and it was something of a miracle to me to be on the receiving end of all that acceptance. The dog didn't care what I looked like, or what I did for a living, or what a train wreck of a life I'd led before I got her, or what we did from day to day. She just wanted to be with me, and that awareness gave me a singular sensation of delight. I kept her in a crate at night until she was housebroken, and in the mornings I'd let her up onto the bed with me. She'd writhe with joy at that. She'd wag her tail and squirm all over me, lick my neck and face and eyes and ears, get her paws all tangled in my braid, and I'd just lie there, and I'd feel those oceans of loss from my past ebbing back, ebbing away, and I'd hear myself laugh out loud.”” [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A dog’s unconditional acceptance can heal past wounds and bring pure joy, regardless of our status or history. **In simple terms:** Dogs accept us as we are, easing past pain. Key Takeaway Seek companionship that values you wholly. Themes acceptance healing joy companionship Mood comforted hopeful reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - recovering from trauma - daily stress relief - building self‑esteem - gratitude practice Key Concepts unconditional love emotional resilience mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How does unconditional acceptance change your self‑view? - What habits can you adopt to nurture similar acceptance in relationships? A Different Perspective The healing effect may be temporary and depends on personal openness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Delight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delight/) [Dogs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dogs/) [Memoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memoir/) ## Related quotes > [Dogs possess a quality that's rare among humans -- the ability to make you feel valued just by being you -- and it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/dogs-possess-a-quality-that-s-rare-among-humans-the-ability-to-make/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [I agree with Agassiz that dogs possess something very like conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/i-agree-with-agassiz-that-dogs-possess-something-very-like-conscience/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [If each of us is to feel that he or she is valued, this calls for more than public funding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kjell-magne-bondevik/if-each-of-us-is-to-feel-that-he-or-she-is-valued-this-calls-for-more/) [Kjell Magne Bondevik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kjell-magne-bondevik/) > [“Check Your Ego at the Door. A big part of creating valuable, long-term connections requires setting your ego aside. For some, it’s a struggle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/check-your-ego-at-the-door-a-big-part-of-creating-valuable-long-term/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Work is important in life because without work, we are useless on this planet. Our actions connect us with the world and give a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/awdhesh-singh/work-is-important-in-life-because-without-work-we-are-useless-on-this/) [Awdhesh Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/awdhesh-singh/) > [In relationship, if there's no sense in waiting, then move on. If you feel that you are not valued by the person you love,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jomari-consuelo/in-relationship-if-there-s-no-sense-in-waiting-then-move-on-if-you/) [Jomari Consuelo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jomari-consuelo/) > [I'm very happy and satisfied at Liverpool. I feel valued and respected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pepe-reina/i-m-very-happy-and-satisfied-at-liverpool-i-feel-valued-and-respected/) [Pepe Reina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pepe-reina/) > [Satisfy the deep subconscious needs of your customers - to feel important, to feel valued, respected and worthwhile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/satisfy-the-deep-subconscious-needs-of-your-customers-to-feel/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [“We all want to be happy and feel valued. We want love, connection, respect, confidence, health, vitality, passion, kindness, and success. When you generously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/we-all-want-to-be-happy-and-feel-valued-we-want-love-connection/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [Girls who feel valued by their dads are more radiant, less desperate for a boyfriend & more careful whom they choose as a life partner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/girls-who-feel-valued-by-their-dads-are-more-radiant-less-desperate/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm trying to make people feel welcome and feel valued.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-affleck/i-m-trying-to-make-people-feel-welcome-and-feel-valued/) [Ben Affleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-affleck/) > [Members of the workforce must feel valued.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luciana-berger/members-of-the-workforce-must-feel-valued/) [Luciana Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luciana-berger/) > [Self-esteem is all about how much we feel valued, loved, accepted, and thought well of by others and how much we value, love, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/self-esteem-is-all-about-how-much-we-feel-valued-loved-accepted-and/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [It's so embarrassing to just not feel valued as a creative person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-conte/it-s-so-embarrassing-to-just-not-feel-valued-as-a-creative-person/) [Jack Conte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-conte/) > [First and foremost, it was fun. Everybody involved with it made you feel like they were an important contributor to the process. We were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-arkin/first-and-foremost-it-was-fun-everybody-involved-with-it-made-you/) [Adam Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-arkin/) ## More by Caroline Knapp > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [The kinds of roles dogs fill can be hard to come by in human relationships. We touch the dog or the pet at whim.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/the-kinds-of-roles-dogs-fill-can-be-hard-to-come-by-in-human/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [It happened this way: I fell in love and then, because the love was ruining everything I cared about, I had to fall out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/it-happened-this-way-i-fell-in-love-and-then-because-the-love-was/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Was he smart enough? Introspective enough? Was it just enough to love him, or should I attach myself to someone who seemed farther ahead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/was-he-smart-enough-introspective-enough-was-it-just-enough-to-love/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Who has the best features? 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When they get older, they become much more like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/dogs-have-such-short-life-spans-it-s-like-a-concentrated-version-of-a/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Anorexia is a response to cultural images of the female body - waiflike, angular - that both capitulates to the ideal and also mocks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/anorexia-is-a-response-to-cultural-images-of-the-female-body-waiflike/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [By definition, memoir demands a certain degree of introspection and self-disclosure: In order to fully engage a reader, the narrator has to make herself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/by-definition-memoir-demands-a-certain-degree-of-introspection-and/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Academic achievement was something I'd always sought as a form of reward. Good grades pleased my parents, good grades pleased my teachers; you got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/academic-achievement-was-something-i-d-always-sought-as-a-form-of/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [These are big trade-offs for a simple piece of cake - add five hundred calories, subtract well-being, allure, and self-esteem - and the feelings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/these-are-big-trade-offs-for-a-simple-piece-of-cake-add-five-hundred/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) [Explore all 89 Caroline Knapp quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) ## More Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) Mak\_786 > [When grubbing for necessities man is still an animal. He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Animal rights without veganism is like human rights with slavery. It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Dogs possess a quality that's rare among humans--the ability to make you feel valued just by being you--and it was something of a miracle to me to be on the receiving end of all that acceptance. The dog didn't care what I looked like, or what I did for a living, or what a train wreck of a life I'd led before I got her, or what we did from day to day. She just wanted to be with me, and that awareness gave me a singular sensation of delight. I kept her in a crate at night until she was housebroken, and in the mornings I'd let her up onto the bed with me. She'd writhe with joy at that. 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