Sometimes our dog doesn’t just like to lay down near you — he likes to lay down next to you, so that he’s leaning on you. Even if there’s plenty of room elsewhere on the couch. Even if his plush, comfortable dog bed is completely unoccupied.

It makes me think: the ones who love us sometimes push on us — literally and figuratively. Sometimes it’s out of love. Sometimes it’s a message: “I’m here.” And sometimes it’s just out of a desire for closeness.