Life lessons I've learned from my dog

Well we learned a life lesson last week … dying is a part of living. Our beloved “Annie”, our 7 year old Golden Retriever had to be put down a couple weeks ago with kidney disease. We mourned for about a week then went out Friday night and bought a chocolate lab puppy whom we named Lexi. She’s a bundle of fun and playfulness and every day we see more of her personality come out. If you have ever had a dog then you know what it’s like to lose one; they literally become part of the family. But you know, “man’s best friend” can teach us many lessons about life if we will only pay attention. Here are some things I’ve learned from Annie and even Lexi the few short days we’ve had her.

• Wake up happy, play hard & rest when it’s time – I don’t think Annie ever woke up in a “foul mood.” When Lexi is up and out of her kennel for the most part it’s play time . Life is so “serious” that I think I often forget to take time to “play” and I certainly don’t rest like I should. I’m learning more and more that attitude is a choice and not a result of my circumstances.

• No such thing as a stranger – I brought Lexi to the office yesterday and she played with everyone as though they were long lost friends. She didn’t care how they looked, she simply saw them as a potential friend. You know when I meet folks I will often “size them up”. People often make judgments based on appearance using that as the criteria for whether someone will be liked and accepted or not. If I’m out somewhere, how often do I avert making eye contact with others so I don’t have to engage them in any way. I need to be more like Lexi and reach out to all, seeing a potential friend in everyone I meet.

• Unconditional love – Annie never held a grudge. If I did something wrong she didn’t hold it against me and “wash her paws” of me. She’d simply forget whatever it was and move on. Annie would always greet me at the door with her tail wagging. It was like I’d been on a long journey and she was so glad I was now home. And now Lexi is starting to do the same thing.

• Sharing toys is more fun – It used to drive me crazy playing fetch with Annie. I’d throw the tennis ball and she loved running after it to get it, but then she’d not bring it back to me. She loved the keep-away part but it drove me nuts. When I’d finally get the ball from her and launch it again, she loved it and off she’d go to fetch. If only Annie could have learned how much more fun it is to give share the ball so the game could continue. How often do I cling tightly to what’s “mine”, whether it be my ideas, my time, whatever and miss the opportunity to “play” with someone who simply wants to be a friend.

• Be loyal - Dogs are so loyal and loving to their owners. They show gratitude by their affection and sloppy kisses. So I learn from that the need to be loyal and kind to others and show my gratitude and affection.

• Stop eating when you have had enough – hmmmm, I wish maybe I’d learned this lesson 30 pounds ago.

I’m sure are other lessons Annie taught me and lessons still to be learned from Lexi. Sometimes I’m a “slow learner” … thankfully Annie and now Lexi are patient in their training.