Some Things I’ve Learned From My Dogs

Posted on June 30, 2008 - Filed Under dogs, family

I have always said that I prefer the company of my dogs to many humans I know.

I write a lot about my daughter and husband.  I write a lot about the thing that still amazes me – that somehow I am a Mom.  Not a morning passes without me waking up and wondering how, after all these years such a wonderful thing happened so late in my life. 

But I am more than Mom to my daughter – I am also Mom to two adorable, loving, patient and gentle children with fur and tails – my dogs.  I love them so much and am so grateful that they somehow seem to understand this new need to wait their turn now that there is a baby around.  They have come to this understanding with remarkable grace. I think they are sometimes sad, because their walks are often shortened, and I’m sometimes too tired to go play fetch at the end of the day.  But as I pass through my days, they too pass theirs alongside me, ever loyal, ever loving.  Ever able to continue, unbeknownst to them to teach this old dog new tricks.

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Here are a few things I have learned from my dogs:

BARK WITH JOY!  It really is OK, even if you wake the neighbors;

Love unconditionally, even if you might get hurt;

Never, ever, for even one second be afraid to show that unconditional love every day;

Live life to the fullest – play each day as if you were still a puppy because in your heart you are;

Poop behind bushes and pee behind trees.  It’s all nature anyway;

Protect those you love (bark, bite and snarl if you have to);

If a loved one is sad, wiggle into that space between their armpit and chest and nuzzle there awhile;

Kiss with abandon.

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I know someday I will be without my dogs and of all the animals I have been blessed to share space with, these girls are my heart.  We still go for long walks, but we also chill out together a little more. Hot summer days seem a little rougher on them than they did last summer.  As I see small gray hairs appear in their otherwise clean sleek coats, I dread that day in the coming years when they slow down even more, and want their walks less and less. 

These dogs have protected me – they blockaded me when we were jumped by a group of wild domestic dogs while walking in the woods.  They fervently protect the baby, even if it is just from deer and bicycles.  And they protect the house with such an urgency that any burglar in his right mind would walk away and never look back.

During low spots in my life they have comforted me.  They know just when to nuzzle and just when to let out that sigh that only a dog can sound out that says simply “I’m here for you”.  They don’t try and fix things as humans often do.  They are simply there, with that unconditional love that only a dog can truly express.

When we were spending time in the NICU with my daughter, they were often not walked for days at a time.  They patiently waited, sniffing at the articles of baby clothing we would bring home, eager to meet this new family member, this new being they would be charged with watching over.

So let’s hear it for our dogs.  Let’s never forget that the role they play in our lives is not just as companion, but also as a barometer that allows us to measure our own humanity.  And with dogs as our guides, hopefully we might rise a notch or two on that scale.

________________________       Art imitates life, and life imitates art. 

What I see every day influences what I create, so writing this blog and creating my designs are natural extensions of who I am. 

If you are interested in viewing my designs, primarily for kids but also some cool stuff for adults and also doggies (who we all know are integral parts of all families) check them out at:http://www.cafepress.com/sugarsprouts

See you around the mountains and canyons of northern AZ!

“If you don’t laugh at life, it sneaks up and bites you in the ass!”

Comments

6 Responses to “Some Things I’ve Learned From My Dogs”

  1. Kelly on July 1st, 2008 3:23 am

    What a great post. Totally brightened my morning and made me throw my arms around my dog’s neck!

  2. monkeysmomma on July 1st, 2008 5:09 am

    I know! I have posted about my dogs too. I love them just like my child (except one sleeps outside). Hurray for dogs!!!!!

  3. Dawn on July 1st, 2008 8:31 am

    Very sweet. I felt that way about our dogs until we had a child. Then something changed. I loved them still it was just different.

    Someday, once the kids are out of the house, I hope to have another pooch to share my time with.

  4. Jody on July 1st, 2008 8:44 am

    So well-put. Your description of “that special sigh” is right on. I lost my kitty companion of 19 years a little over a year ago. Now my pug is 7, and I’m already worrying. Until I remind myself to just enjoy this moment, like he does. Dogs are amazing that way.

  5. admin on July 1st, 2008 8:59 am

    Alas, I think some folks (I have a few friends and family among them) feel that you have to choose - kids or dogs. I disagree. Certainly there is no love like that for a child, but I also feel a unique love for my dogs. It is different than that for my daughter for sure, but it is still love! I think I love them even more now that there is a child because I see how kind and gentle they are with her.

    I think our hearts are elastic and there is always room for more people and animals to love!

  6. Some Questions of Ye Olde Parental Units : Sugar & Sprouts Blog on July 13th, 2008 3:33 pm

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