10 Wonderful Life Lessons Your Dog Can Teach You
Owning a dog can be one of the most rewardingexperiences of this earthlylife, and can also be one of the most fruitfulfriendships in which you'll ever partake. Of course, everyone desiresa polite pupwith good manners. Sometimes, though, we get socaught up in training our tail-waggers that we forget that they have a few lessons to teach us, too. Our furry friends can be some of our wisest advisers if we take a few pages out of their playbooks. We’ve compiled a list of the tenbest life lessons we've learned from ourprecocious pets.
10. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
This old adage stands true for dogs as much as for their human counterparts, and we'd be wise to apply the rule to both species. The gigantic dogs deliveringthunderingbarks often carrythe most gentle hearts. Aten-pound poochmay displaymore resolve than any of his largerworking-class peers.
A dog doesn’t know its own size and therefore will never underestimate itself.
The lesson to take away from this? You are exactly what you make yourself out to be. There could be a great lion sleeping inside a small lamb if you believe there is. Don't forget to apply this underdog principle to those around you, too.
9. You are NEVER too old to enjoy a good game.
Whether your palis a six-month-old puppy or a twelve-year-old senior, he or she will find itimpossible to deny a new squeaky toy. Even the oldest dogs can get excited about a good game of fetch, albeit at a slower pace.
In the end, dogs just want to have fun, and they understand that you need to slow down and take a moment to enjoy life.
The same is true for people. Even with adult responsibilities, there should always be time set aside to crack a smile and laugh a little.
8. Let your loved ones know they are truly appreciated.
A pet owner's favorite feeling, without fail, is how your dog will always be gladto see you when you arrivehome after a long day. Sometimes the onslaught of love is overwhelming!
Whetheryou are gone for five minutes or five hours, you are greeted with the same amount of puppy kisses and tail wags. For that moment, allthat matters is that your very presence means the world to someone.
Shouldn’t everyone have the chance to feel so adored? Adopt this same philosophy toward the loved ones in your life. When they come home after work or school, let them know how much you missed them and how excited you are to see them. Let your loved ones feel that in this very moment they are the most important people on the planet.
7. Never hold a grudge.
Sometimes life becomeshectic, and you don’t get to accomplish everything you aimed toin a day. You promised you would take your dog to the park, but you simplyran out of time. Do you think for one second your dog will be angry with you tomorrow and remember you broke a promise? Absolutely not.
Your dog beginseach day as a brand new adventurefull of endless possibilities, and he doesn’t think twice about what did or didn’t happen yesterday.
In life, we too are given brand new days with which we are free to do anything we desire. Why waste these beautiful opportunities being bitter about the disappointments of days past?
6. Love unconditionally.
There are many inspiring stories about dogs whoare abused, starved, and left abandoned. While the circumstances ofeach may differ, there is a common thread that runs through each tale:the amazing ability ofdogs to love unconditionally.
The mistreateddog will still wag histail when we show himkindness, even though it was a human who previously put himin adifficult situation. It does not matter to a dog; given love, he will learn to trust again.
What matters is that you always continue to love, especially when it's most difficult to do so. Instead of displaying anger, fear or regret, try responding with love and compassion, then watch as the magic of positive energy begins to transform your entire life.
5. Don’t become a victim of self-pity.
A dog will never, ever succumb to feelings of embarrassment or shame, nor will it evercompare itself to other dogs. Even thoseenduring blindness, missing limbs or arthritisseem to function mentally as if they are in perfect health, and that's because they don't have the capacity for self-loathing.
You never see one dog envying another because of the house itlives in, the collar it'swearing, or the toys itplays with. Dogs appreciate what they have and wish for nothing more.
Perhaps the most important lesson we can learn from dogs is to love yourself for who you are. You are unique, you are important, and you are forging your own path through life, and that is all that matters. Who you are and what you have are perfect for you and no one else.
4. There is more to life than material objects.
Isn’t it frustrating that you can come home with a $30 toy, butyour dog would rather play with a stick he found outside? That’s because dogs don’t understand money, and they certainly don’t comprehend our humanly love ofmaterial goods.
That grimy tennis ball that always goes to the dog park with you is just as nice (if not better) than thebrand new baubleyou found at the expensive dog boutique.
Be happy with what you have. The latest and greatest is not always the best, and there's a reason the tried and true staples are always our favorites. In the end, does it matter if you use a brand new ball or a rotted, dirty ball, so long as you are enjoying the time you spend with your best friend?
3. Be outside every chance you get.
Long neighborhood walks and brisk runs through openfields can never be underestimated. Even if the only fresh breeze and warm sun you receive for the dayis throughan open car window, appreciate it to its fullest. Nature's positive effects on our health cannot be replaced by television orthe internet.
Remember to take a moment, slow things down, and appreciate the simple pleasures of life. Not everyone is lucky enough to feel soft grass under their bare feet.
2. Do what you love as oftenas possible.
Dogs always seem happy (and quick to get there when they momentarily aren't), and the reason for that is because they only participate in activitiesthey enjoy. Your dog loves his food, so he eats. Your dog loves to squeak his toys, so he plays every time he sees one. Your dog loves fresh air, so he will lieby the screen door all afternoon.
Maybe we should take a hintfrom our dogs sowe too can be just as happy.
Find what you love doing, and do more of it. Simple.
1. Always take the extra moment for a warm snuggle.
A dog doesn’t understand the concept of a schedule. To him it doesn’t make sense thatyou can’t taketwo minutes to scratch his headbecause you're running late for work.
How important is two minutes at work compared to two minutes of affection? There is always at least a minute or two to enjoy a warm snuggle. It makes your dog happy, it makes you happy, and you never know when it could be your last chance.
Extend this concept from your dog to other loved ones in your life. Stop and take a few minutes to administer words and actions of gratitude, and we bet you'll soon be just as joyful as your favorite furball.
