🐕 If you've ever read my LinkedIn personal profile headline you'll have noticed that it says "Possibly part labrador".

Why? Well, why not — we all need a spirit animal 🐕

But actually it's origin comes from the LinkedIn great John Espirian (definitely not a douche canoe) and it's what he refers to as a "bravery badge" — in short a conversation starter.

And it works! It gives someone a hook to start a chat via DM and it also lets you know that someone has bothered to read your profile. I'd much rather hear about a mutual love of dogs than mutual connections as an opener! Am I right? 🐕

Over the years I've realised that I have a lot more in common with Labradors especially, here's some traits that I share with these marvellous creatures:

🐕 Friendly

🐕 Outgoing

🐕 High-spirited

🐕 Sturdy legs

🐕 Well-balanced

🐕 Intelligent

🐕 Easy to train

🐕 Strong desire to work with people

🐕 Loves to have jobs to do

🐕 Requires moderate exercise

🐕 Can become overweight

🐕 If left alone, can be destructive — chewing, digging and barking to excess

I've loved and lost dogs growing up, Labradors, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Border Collie and I'm 100% what you'd label a dog person. Let's not mention the C word.

And I'm never happier than when I'm in the company of dogs. 🐕

What's your spirit animal and why (I'm also highly curious aka nosey!)

Tag me in your dog photos!