Day 690

These two are the best of friends! They choose to play together, follow each other everywhere AND even chew the same bone together...one at each end! They love Ranger and Lilly, but they choose to always be side-by-side with their Bestie.

Perhaps, when all of us are young, we are entertained and drawn to those who are bigger than life. People who were funny, successful and popular might have been the ones we gravitated towards. That was certainly my case when navigating my teen years. It fascinates me to realize that the few friends, from those days, who really matter now were not necessarily the ones everybody knew and followed. They were a gift then and they still are today!

As we travel life's journey, it seems the friends who last (and the new ones we make) have certain characteristics...at least for me!

On a continuum of importance, in ascending order they are:

*Proximity

*Like interests

*Positive by nature

*Empathetic

*Caring

*Devoted

The friends who have been with me for years are treasured.

My new friends who have been added into my heart are treasured.

Future friends are always welcome!

Like Gus and Sam, in my opinion, having deep friendships is essential to happiness and enjoying life in general. I am just happy that MOST of my friends don't want to roughhouse in the mud!