How a golden retriever is like a fluffy librarian

Dear Libraries,
You know you're my number one, but I figured it was time to tell you about the one girl who will always be queen of my heart: Shelby.

She's just so fragile and delicate

 I've been missing home a lot lately, probably all the more since my current job situation has me unsure when I'll actually be able to go back for a visit. Nothing makes me more weepy though than when I think about how much I miss my baby girl, AKA The Princess, Dumb Blonde, or Sweet Shelbs. This dog is perfect in the way that only the rose-colored glasses of absolute devotion can make a dog seem. My family got her when I was a senior in high school in an attempt to heal our broken hearts after we lost our previous dog, Missy (who, by the way, was also the perfect dog in a completely different way). Needless to say, being a senior in high school, I didn't have much to do other than spend as much time as possible with the adorable new puppy. I helped train her (and have continued to), took her for hikes and out to the dog park as often as possible, and snuggled her to sleep at night. She lives with my parents and always will, but I don't think anyone in my family would deny that she's still my dog. She has the most expressive face, and I swear to god when we have conversations I can hear what she's saying back to me.

Who could resist a face like this?!

Here's where it gets relevant: To me, Shelby represents everything I want to be in my professional life. And in my life in general. She's bright, energetic, and, more than making people feel welcome, she makes people feel like they are the only human in the whole wide world who matters. Particularly if you already identify as a dog person, Shelby will win you over with a few overenergetic wags of her tail as she slaps her butt into your legs and when she collapses to give you instant access to her belly. She approaches every day with a fresh supply of enthusiasm and joy, and nothing can ever keep her down for long. It's this unsinkable attitude that never ceases to amaze and inspire me. It's my goal to bring even have as much passion to my work as Shelby brings to every day and every new encounter. In many ways, she's exactly what a modern librarian should be; it's certainly true that the profession faces many difficulties, but the best librarians I've encountered choose to focus on the positive aspects of the field, and they bring fresh buckets of enthusiasm to their daily work.

So this is my tribute to the dog who has shown me exactly who I want to be and how I want to approach every day: joyfully, with a heart full of love and an ability to give some to everyone I meet. Compassion and understanding are two of the most important skills a librarian can have. Everyone is welcome in a library, just as everyone is welcome in Shelby's heart. Particularly if you rub her belly.

The world could use more fluffy librarians

Now to convince the world that dogs should be in libraries every day.

Love,
Maggie