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Animal Quote by Mary Oliver

“We meet wonderful people, but lose them in our busyness. We’re, as the saying goes, all over the place. Steadfastness, it seems, is more about dogs than about us. One of the reasons we love them so much.” quote by Mary Oliver
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““We meet wonderful people, but lose them in our busyness. We’re, as the saying goes, all over the place. Steadfastness, it seems, is more about dogs than about us. One of the reasons we love them so much.””

Mary Oliver

About This Quote

Source Essay: “The Poetry of the Everyday,” 1995

Highlights how busyness distracts us from meaningful connections, noting that steadfastness is more canine‑like than human.

In simple terms: Busy lives cause us to miss important relationships.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize steadiness over frantic activity.

Themes

busyness relationships mindfulness steadfastness

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical contemplative

When to use this quote

  • Workplace
  • family gatherings
  • social media use

Key Concepts

Attention presence human vs animal metaphor

Questions to Reflect On

  • What simple habit can increase your presence?
  • How does “dog‑like” steadfastness differ from human?
A Different Perspective

Hard to maintain steadiness in a fast‑paced world.

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