Dogs have long protected people. Zinnia is a Lab, and they are famous for standing by their people. Zinnia is the sweetest dog I’ve ever had. Whenever I am sick, she stands guard by my bedside as long as I am ill. She knows when I’m sick and when I’m not.

The other day, I was in a hospital all day and much of the night. They thought at first I might have had a stroke, but decided I had found a viral disease called Bell’s Palsy instead, a viral infection that can paralyze one cheek for a while.

The day and illness were surprises, so was the worry that I’d had a stroke. When Maria and I got home, we were exhausted. I slept downstairs in a chair because the bedroom was hot and our air conditioner wasn’t in yet.

When I got into Bed, Zinnia was sitting by my feet. She sat there all night, and when I woke up much later, her head was in my lap, still watching, still waiting.

It’s easy to take a dog’s loyalty for granted. When I’m sick or feeling bad, she stays with me until I am better. I don’t know how she knows. But she knows.