This Dog Will Change Your Life

Friedman reflects on his childhood relationships with dogs. As a shy kid, his best friend was his dog Ruby. He could always make his siblings Isabel and Henry laugh by pretending to talk in Ruby’s voice. Ruby also made it easier for Friedman to interact with people in the neighborhood. Walking her gave him opportunities to interact with other dogs and dog owners. The same is true of Friedman’s work with The Dogist. When he first approaches people, he asks for a picture of their dog, but stays focused on the dogs throughout his interactions. Dogs have helped him connect with people all over the world. To Friedman, this feels the same as making conversation with people at Halloween parties. In costume, it feels easier to engage with strangers.

Friedman also believes that dogs can facilitate lasting romantic relationships, noting that a woman named Leigh D’Angelo even started the dating app Dig to connect dog lovers.

Friedman suggests that dogs have a simpler way of connecting: they smell each other. He doesn’t think humans should do the same, but argues that people overcomplicate human connection. Connecting like dogs can teach us about authenticity.