I began volunteering at the shelter to help dogs. Then I realized that if I truly wanted to help the dogs, I needed to do more than exercise or comfort them. As I began reading the notes on Ciera out loud, I dropped her leash and hoped for the best. Humans, in contrast, have always struck me more as takers than givers, fickle lovers who are cagey with their affections and hearts. Watching people fall in love so completely with dogs, I began to see how humans long to give their hearts away.

Source: New York Times February 17, 2017 10:00 UTC