Lessons Learned from Man's Best Friend!

Dog’s are a man’s best friend. This is not only a saying, it is the truth! Dogs are more than a man’s best friend. I remember how our dog, Rex, handled my father’s sudden passing away five years ago. He was so depressed and it was palpable that he had sensed what went on. He refused to leave my mother’s side. He would sit beside her on the floor, his face buried between his tiny paws and staring into space. He did that for days on end during the times we were mourning. It was his way of showing support to her (it was as if he knew, she needed it the most) and his way of mourning. 

So, if you pay close attention to these furry, canine family members of yours you will learn some wag-worthy important lessons from their personality, behavior, and resilience. Ten important lessons to learn from dogs

1. To protect loved ones- Dogs are very protective of their family and those they love. If you love someone you don’t want anything bad to happen to them or to hurt them.
2.  To accept those you love for who they are- Your dog doesn't care whether you are smart or not, whether you are good looking or not, if you own all the money in the world or not. They just love you for who you are!
3. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and show your support (nuzzle them :) )
4. To be loyal to your loved ones- dogs are one of the most loyal animals in the world. Think of Hachiko, the dog who greeted his owner at the train station everyday when he returned home from work, and after his owner’s sudden death returned to the train station at the same time everyday for nine years (It was made into a beautiful movie called Hachi: A Dog’s Tale starring Richard Gere). This is how loyal companion dogs are.
5. To love with all your heart- dogs are naturally and unconditionally affectionate. When they love, they love you with all their heart.
6. To let others know when they invade your territory- dogs surely know how to mark their territory and how to protect it. Don’t invade other’s territory and if they invade yours, let them know!
7. To not hold grudges- dogs don’t hold grudges for long. So learn from your pet and be quick to forgive and forget.
8. To not be afraid to show someone how much you love them- dogs aren’t afraid to show you their feelings be it wagging their tail, jumping, barking, licking extravaganza, nuzzling you. You name it!
9. If what you want lies buried, dig till you find it- if your treasure is buried dig until you find it, just like a dog won’t stop digging the ground until it finds its hidden bone.
10. When loved ones come home, greet them with enthusiasm- Dog owners know what I am talking about! Pay attention to how your dog welcomes you home, always with great excitement and with a wagging tail. Even if you were having a bad day, a warm welcome with excitement and enthusiasm can turn your mood around.

  Dedicated to my beloved pet, man’s best friend, Rex!