by Lance Nielsen
I am a proud dog dad! I love how Coco, my English Bulldog, makes me feel, and the fact that she is extremely calm, chill, and tolerant of any creative costume or dress we put on her.
In a world that often feels divided, uncertain, and loud with disagreement, there’s something grounding about a dog’s quiet loyalty. Dogs don’t care how we vote, what we believe, or which side of an issue we’re on. They care about connection. Dogs remind us, through their actions, that relationships are built not on winning arguments but on trust, consistency, and love.
A dog waits at the door every evening, tail wagging, eyes bright, just happy to see us. No matter how long we’ve been away or what kind of day we’ve had, that greeting never wavers. Imagine if we, as humans, approached one another with that same unwavering loyalty; to listen, to show up, to care without condition. In politically turbulent times like these, when it can feel easier to pull away than to reach out, we need that kind of steadfast relationship more than ever.
The arts work much the same way. Our work in arts advocacy, supporting creative expression and those who make it possible, is at its core about loyalty. It’s about standing by the artists, educators, students, and organizations that bring beauty and meaning into our lives, even when resources are scarce or when the value of the arts is questioned. Like a loyal dog, advocacy asks us to keep showing up and to keep believing in the power of creativity to connect and heal us.
All of the arts, regardless of medium, remind us of our shared humanity. It helps us see the world through another’s eyes and feel something together, even when we disagree. Dogs teach us that relationships thrive when we give attention and compassion freely. The arts teach us that communities thrive when we honor every voice and every story.
So maybe, in this divided time, we can all learn a little something from our four-legged friends—be loyal, be kind, keep showing up. That steadfast connection might just be what leads us back to one another.
