Loyalty is defined as: faithfulness or devotion to a person, a cause, obligations, or duties: allegiance, constancy, faithfulness, fidelity, steadfastness.

The process of preparing to write about this subject of loyalty forced me to really search inside myself and ask about my personal loyalties. Have I honestly earned the right to write on this subject? It required a lot of soul searching and recalling if I have a positive history of being loyal or not in my life.

Immediately, I was struck with this thought: I wonder if I have been as loyal as my golden retriever, Sheba, has been to me? I think dogs really understand the concept of loyalty better than most people, and Sheba has become even more loyal as she has aged and matured. As her reddish-golden coat turns to gray and silver around her face (I’ve noticed the same thing while I am looking in the mirror!) she becomes more and more devoted to me. She has always been a very loyal friend–always accepting of me, ever faithful, affectionate, and always ready and willing to go for a ride in my pickup truck. Sheba has been there for me as a loyal friend and incredible hunting partner, and I am so blessed to have her.

I know many of you pet owners will be agreeing with me as to the loyalties found in our furry friends. It feels good to be on the receiving end of such loyalty, doesn’t it? This should challenge us to look for ways in our own lives to offer our loyalties to others. I challenge you to take time to reread the definition above, as you think of ways that you can and will become a more loyal friend, sibling, employee, spouse, parent or child. We are each so very capable of stepping up to the plate of loyalty. My soul searching is forcing me to stretch out of my comfort zones a bit and go the extra mile in being more loyal. I am okay with that. I need to do it. It will be good for me. I will take action on this growth and set out to improve myself in this area immediately and one day, who knows, maybe I can be as loyal as my faithful friend.