Ring our doorbell and chaos ensues. It is not our daughters leaping up to see who has arrived. They could not care less. Rather, it is our three dogs barking excitedly and jumping all over each other to get to the door to see who is coming to play with them. “Don’t move, I’ve got it,” I say sarcastically to the girls as I stop what I’m doing to open the door. If only I could teach our Lab, Sushi, to unlock the door. It occurs to me that my kids could take a few lessons from our fluffies.
- Stop what you are doing and get excited when the doorbell rings. Even if it is only maintenance to change a light bulb, seeing someone new every day can enrich your life. Your smile can certainly enrich theirs. The best part of going out is coming home to a happy reception. The dogs are always a super welcome home brigade. The kids? Not so much, unless I am carrying take-away pizza.
- Take naps. No person could sleep as much as our Yorkie, Chamalow, but getting a little extra rest when you have a free moment does a body good. Sleeping in the sunlight streaming through the window is even better.
- Show your love openly. Our dogs lick, talk, snuggle and sit on top of us. Our Yorkie, Cerise, sleeps under the covers with her head on the pillow right between my husband and I. When visitors come and show even the smallest sign of affection, the dogs respond with an all-in attitude: prepare to be loved! When they love, they do so with their entire bodies. They never hold back or play hard to get.
- Forgive easily. Tails get stepped on. Doors get closed in their faces. Some nights it is just too late to go for a walk. The dogs may cry at the moment of impact, but they never hold a grudge. Within five minutes they are back to bubbly and have already forgiven you. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if people got over things as easily?
- Minimize your moods. Dogs are rarely grumpy. In fact, most dogs have two settings: ‘happy to be alive’ and ‘sleep.’ My two hormone-charged pre-teen daughters could definitely learn from that!
- Don’t be a picky eater. Sushi finds chicken bones all along our walking route. I’m not recommending that kids do the same, by any means, but dogs are always curious about new food. If you are eating it, they want a taste. That is exactly what we try to encourage in our children. Sniff it, taste it and maybe you will love it.
Our dogs are a lot of work. They can make giant messes to clean up, are expensive to board when we are away and don’t get me started on veterinary bills. They require love, exercise, food and more love. But as life-lesson teachers, little else can compare to the value they bring and the positive influence they have on our lives. Woof.
