Joseph Brodsky once wrote, “How delightful to find a friend in everyone.” That certainly describes Asa’s philosophy on life. Whether they have two legs or four, fuzzy or feathered, friendly or not, Asa just wants to be your friend. And animals certainly pick up on that vibe.

Take for example while out for a walk the other day, two baby squirrels came happily bouncing over to greet Asa. Did he bark? Did he chase these notorious archenemies to dogs? No! Asa, calmly sat down, and smiled at his new little friends, as one approached from in front, and the other played with his wagging tail.

These squirrels are too young to be afraid of Asa, and his heart is too big to cause them any harm.

Perhaps there’s a life lesson here, that all dogs and humans can take away from this chance meeting?

The moment soon ended when another neighbor walking his dogs frightened the curious baby squirrels away, and we haven’t seen them again on our walks. But Asa pauses to look for them each time we reach that part of the road, because he’ll always remember his new little friends. I hope they remember Asa when they grow up too.