Stop Saying "Haram"

February 16, 2026

Everyone who sees Hershey says it.
Every. Single. Person.

They come over.
Pet her.
They give her love.
Their intentions are good, I know that.
Their hearts go out to her.

Then it comes. “Haram.”
And let me tell you, it really hurts.

Because it is shafa2a. And when someone feels shafa2a for you, it feels like they are saying something is wrong with you.
There's nothing wrong with Hershey.

You do not say “haram” to a happy dog.
And Hershey is a happy dog.

We are writing this because it keeps happening. And every time it does, it feels like people reduce her whole personality to her paralysis.
As if that is all she is.
It is not.

Let me tell you who Hershey actually is.
She is not something to feel sorry for.
She is Hershey.

She wants the couch?
She does not ask.
She parks next to it.
Stares at her exact spot.
Barks once. Then waits.

She knows she will be lifted.
And yes, she always is.

She communicates clearly.

We did not train her.
She trained us.

Now let us talk about her criminal record.
Let us see if your dog can beat her record.

Napkins? Destroyed.
Important documents? Confetti.
Blog drafts? Gone.
Scripts? Also gone.

No paper she can reach survives.

And food? She is not special.
She is just a dog.
She will stare at you while you eat.
No blinking. No shame.
No giving up until she gets what she wants.

Food on the table and we are not around?
It disappears.
She is a professional thief.

When the 4x4 comes out, we call her wheelchair the 4x4. She gets excited.
She does not like easy roads. She likes challenges.