Every household has its own mythology. In mine, the living room has been invaded by a towering, tail-wagging creature I affectionately call “Godzilla.” Weighing in at 70 pounds of pure joy and oblivious chaos, my big dog believes, without a shadow of a doubt, that he is a lap dog.

He doesn’t just sit near you. No, he collapses across your legs with the confidence of a yoga instructor mid-savasana. He roars (okay, pants) with delight and gallops through the house like a creature from a low-budget monster flick. I sometimes greet him with a mock roar: “GRRR, it’s GODZILLA!” And he beams, tail wagging, tongue lolling, full of pride for his newly claimed kaiju title.

Meanwhile, my small dog, a seasoned 10-pound warrior, treats this gentle giant with the same level of respect one gives an unpredictable boulder on a steep hill. He’s always two steps ahead, watching, calculating, stepping aside just in time before he becomes a pancake under a Godzilla nap.

But here’s what I’ve come to realize: Life is full of lovable giants, i.e., people, moments, challenges, that don’t always know their size. They barrel into our lives, sometimes messy, sometimes overwhelming, but often full of warmth and good intentions. We learn to adjust, to stay vigilant, and to respond not with fear, but with humor, compassion, and the occasional safety sidestep

Godzilla may be large. He may be goofy. But he is ours, and his heart is just as big as his paws. In that, there’s a lesson: Embrace your nature even if it’s a bit much and surround yourself with those who’ll make room for your sprawl, love your chaos, and keep you from flattening the furniture or the family.

So roar a little today. Take up space. And remember, even the smallest among us know how to navigate giants with grace.