Small Paws, Big Purpose: Dog Quotes About Love & Life

How dogs help us find meaning and teach us what really matters in life.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about purpose—that sense that who we are and what we do actually means something. When we feel connected to a sense of purpose, it builds hope and optimism from the inside out. (And apparently, studies show it even helps you live longer—so there’s that.)

Of course, purpose looks different for everyone—and it changes as life does. For a long time, my career was a huge source of my purpose. That was great when things were going well. But on days (or weeks, or months) when work got rocky, so did my sense of purpose. And then, when I stepped away from that job, my life took on a whole new rhythm—one that didn’t revolve around meetings or deadlines (or, honestly, wearing real pants).

But through all of that, one thing has never changed: my dogs.

Even on the hardest days—when my to-do list went untouched and my “big goals” took a nap right alongside me—I could still look at my dogs and know I’d done something good. I’d fed them, walked them, kept them safe, made them happy. And that counted for something.

In the last couple of years, we’ve said goodbye to two of the world’s best boys, Luke and Jack. Giving them the best final months I could gave me a sense of purpose and love that I’ll always carry with me. And now, with Pepper—the chaos gremlin who somehow runs this house—I’ve found a new kind of purpose (and a new understanding of the phrase “it’s too quiet…what are you up to?”).

Dogs just have this magic about them. They keep us grounded, loved, and laughing. They remind us that purpose doesn’t have to be big or impressive—it can be as simple as showing up for a creature who thinks you hung the moon.

So, with those deep thoughts out of my system for the day, I thought I’d share a few favorite dog quotes that capture that feeling better than I ever could. Because dogs really do make us feel like masters of the universe… even when everything else in life feels a little wobbly.

12 Quotes That Capture the Magic of Dogs

“If your dog thinks you’re the best, don’t seek a second opinion.” — Unknown

“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them and filling an emptiness we didn’t even know we had.” — Thom Jones

“To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.” — Aldous Huxley

“Dogs never lie about love.” — Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson

“The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.” — Charles de Gaulle

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” — Josh Billings

“No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as much as the dog does.” — Christopher Morley

“Home is where the dog runs to greet you.” — Unknown

“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love; they depart to teach us about loss.” — Unknown

“A dog can snap you out of any kind of bad mood that you’re in faster than you can think of.” — Jill Abramson

“Dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” — Gilda Radner

“Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.” — Roger Caras

Whether your pup is a champion snoozer, a wild little tornado, or something in between, I hope one of these quotes makes you smile...and reminds you how much purpose (and joy, and fur) our dogs bring into our lives every single day.

If your dog has been your biggest source of joy and purpose, too (and honestly, whose hasn’t?), I’d love to hear about them. 🐾

You can nominate your pup to be featured as our Dog of the Week — it’s one of my favorite parts of running this blog. Getting to see all your dogs (and tell their stories) reminds me exactly why I started this in the first place.

Want more posts like this? You might also enjoy meeting our past Dogs of the Week.

And if you’re looking for a little daily dose of dog love, check out our “All Shapes. All Sizes. All Love.” collection — a celebration of the big, small, scruffy, and slobbery ones who make our lives whole.