STOP AND THINK – A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. (Josh Billings, the pen name of 19th-century American humorist Henry Wheeler Shaw)

Perhaps Shaw’s observation is true. It does seem that pets—dogs in particular—often seem to try to please their “master” without much thought of themselves. Whether it’s true or not, it’s a worthy lesson for people to learn. We might find greater fulfillment in trying to help and please others more than simply satisfying our own desires.

In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)