My husband is 6’4”, covered in tattoos, and rides a Harley everywhere he goes. Most people assume he’s tough and impossible to scare.
Our German Shepherd Bruno gives people the same feeling. He weighs nearly 100 pounds and looks like the kind of dog nobody would dare approach.

But Bruno has one fear that completely takes over him: shiny floors.

Anything polished or slippery terrifies him. In his mind, those glossy surfaces probably feel like thin ice waiting to swallow him whole.

Today we brought him to a newly remodeled vet clinic. The floors were spotless, bright, and shining under the lights.

The second Bruno stepped onto the tile, he completely panicked. His paws slid apart, his body locked up, and he started shaking like he was standing on the edge of danger.

My husband didn’t yank the leash or get frustrated.

He quietly crouched down, wrapped his arms around our massive shepherd, and lifted all 100 pounds of him off the floor.

Then he carried Bruno through the clinic like an oversized scared puppy. Bruno buried his face into my husband’s shoulder the entire time, refusing to look down at the floor beneath him.

Some people in the waiting room started laughing.

My husband looked over at them and calmly said:

“He spends every night protecting my family. The least I can do is carry him when he’s afraid.”

If you want to see Bruno now — the giant shepherd who still hates shiny floors but follows his dad everywhere — comment “Bruno” and I’ll share more of him.