Fast food jobs aren't as bad as they're made out to be, especially when you've been without a job for several months previously. However, I work closing shifts or doubles exclusively, and often find myself exhausted when I walk in my front door. For some weeks now, I've taken to the habit of leaving a cute or funny picture up on my computer as a pick me up for the end of the evening.

Today I found  dogbomb.

Not only is this mutt an incredible ambassador to the non-furry world, he's a capable writer who shares both his pictures and adventures with the rest of us here. He clearly takes joy in the smiles he brings to those around him, and the stories posted alongside his photos range from funny to incredibly heartwarming. This dog's mug will be adorning my computer for many evenings to come.

We could all stand to take a page from Dogbomb's book. While his kindness and compassion are stunning, I've seen so much goodness in the greater whole of the furry community that the surprise, though not the wonder, has faded. Where Dogbomb is special is his willingness to go love everyone he meets, the time that he puts aside for people he's never met before and will likely never see again. His is everything that is good about ego: a wellspring of self-assurance and courage that lets him confront everyone he meets with open arms - in full fursuit, no less.

Sometimes it seems this is a time when my religious leaders make themselves visible by spreading a vocal campaign of hatred, when business concerns shoulder basic humanity to the rear, and the best of humankind is silently trod upon by a mass of monsters in human flesh. However, I do believe in the basic goodness of people. In spite of all our drama, furs seem to me to be open and caring individuals, not as prone to bigotry and exclusivity as many other tightly knit groups. Go out and share that with the world. You don't have to wear a fursuit, or spend a lot of money, or even identify as furry - just go make someone smile, or laugh. Pick the hard targets, the people who don't look like they spend enough time happy. Spread the love for one another that I see everyday within the community to the people you meet in the streets each day.

Thank you, Dogbomb. Thank you on behalf of the hundreds(thousands?) of people that see you and smile without ever coming to say hello. Thank you for showing the hardest hearts of the world that the kindness of strangers is a reality, and for showing our children that growing up and childlike joy aren't mutually exclusive. Thank you for the being the dog to show us what it means to be human.