My husband and I have two dogs (Sebastian and Annabelle) that we cherish and love. They are are more like children to us then pets. They have made our lives so special in so many ways. They’ve shown us endless amounts love and devotion and we could not be more grateful to have them as a part of our family.  In fact, because we love our dogs so much we decided to adopt one more… a little pug we named Liberty. We could not be more excited.  As our family continues to grow, my heart continues to expand as I open myself up to more love than I’ve ever imagined.  I owe a lot to these special dogs.

Having dogs has taught me so much about life and love, so I’ve decided to dedicate this week’s blog to my babies.  Here are some of the things I’ve learned from my dogs! Enjoy!

Things my dogs have taught me:

Don’t be afraid to love: Dogs don’t have a concept of holding back their love until they make sure you love them first. They just go for it. They love instantly and without a second thought. Don’t wait to love someone, just do it. We could all use a little more love.

Love is unconditional: No matter what, dogs love you unconditionally. They wag their tails when they see you, run up to the door to greet you as you enter (no matter what kind of mood you’re in). They love to give you kisses, even if you just yelled at them and they’re always down to cuddle under your blanket or lay on your head. They also instantly forgive you no matter how you’ve behaved. Loyalty and unconditional love is no match for what dogs can offer you.

Love is Patient: Housebreaking. Digging holes in the yard. Eating your sister’s couch. Peeing on your pillow. Chewing your favorite pair of shoes. No matter what, we all make mistakes. Sometimes like people, dogs just need a little more patience and lots of love.

Don’t compare yourself to others: Dogs don’t care if their dog colar, their bed, or their food bowl are more expensive then the dogs down the street.  Dogs are just happy to spend time with you, happy to be fed, happy to have a roof over their head and a comfy spot to lay.  They don’t care about the materialistic things, they just want to be loved. In the end, isn’t love all we need, does any of that other stuff really matter?

Accept yourself: I couldn’t imagine my Boston Terrier, Annabelle
wishing she was a Poodle or being envious of another dog’s snout.  As humans, we spend a lot of time judging ourselves and/or comparing ourselves to others instead of loving our body, features, etc… How boring would it be if we all looked alike.  So love yourself, be grateful for the body and the life you have, and stop comparing yourself to others. Be uniquely you!

Be loyal and dependable: Dogs are pack animals and they always stick with, play with, and defend their pack. This is a great reminder for all of us to be conscientious members of our human pack- to be loving, loyal, and dependable.

Play every day: Dogs love to play. They love to walk, run, fetch, etc… so it’s a good reminder for us to get moving, play, exercise, and have fun.  Like having a dog, playing is also good for the body and the soul.

Live in the moment: Although dogs remember some things like people, where their treats and food are, and the streets near their home, they only access that info when they need it; so dogs always live in the moment.  For a dog, the past is gone and the future is unknown. The only thing that matters is what is happening in the present moment, the here and the now. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all live this way. So take time to live in the moment, appreciate what you’ve got and spend time with the people you love.

Enjoy the journey: When dogs go for a car ride, they like to look at the window and if you let them, stick their head out the window, smell the air and feel the wind against their fur. They don’t care where they’re going; they’re just enjoying the journey. Life’s a journey. There may be some windy roads or bumps along the way, but it’s precious and we need to take the time to enjoy the wild ride.   

Loving and caring for an animal can bring out the best in you and teach you so much about life and love.  So remember to be grateful for what you’ve got, show love and compassion for others, and be present in the moment. Enjoy this amazing life. Live life to the fullest and enjoy every step along the way.