Loyalty

This friend never took any oath of allegiance, like the vassals of a lord, but is always ready to share the fate of the master, ready to get slain before the master.  Have you ever heard any other Julius Caesar saying "Et tu, Brute?" (You too, Brutus?)  to his dog named Brutus. 

Sacrifice

Not all sacrifices were sung enough? Kalpana Chawla we all know, but how many of us have heard about Laika, a Soviet space dog who was the first animal in space, the first to orbit the Earth and to die for it? Are dogs not protecting our houses and fields much better than a medieval Knight protected the castle? 

Selflessness

Despite being very attentive to human feelings and needs, dogs have never asked anything in return for the work they have done and the love they have shown, just a pat on the head. They are doing the duty for the sake of duty, and showing love for the sake of love. From the last few decades, defense forces are rewarding military dogs for the medical help and other signaling work they have done at the war front.  But this selfless soldier never had any such aspirations or expectations. Have you seen any dog asking for the Nobel Peace prize for having resolved a conflict between two sworn enemies?

Here the intention is not to glorify what our selfless friends have done and are still doing; they don’t care about being glorified; they are already very satisfied with chew toys and some affection. The point is to reflect:

Do these values still matter to us? Do we even consider friendship important anymore?

As humans we can control and launch a mission to Mars, can easily control a Supersonic aircraft but cannot control our own heart, throbbing with anger and despair. A real friend can easily calm down your racing heart; this is the power of friendship. 

For me, friendship is important and to develop a strong friendship I need some deeper values. You may choose to search for your own values. But while you're searching, look down. That wagging tail beside you may already have them.