10 Important Life Lessons I learned from my dog
HAPPY 10th birthday to my one and only sidekick!
It’s a special day for my rescue “puppy” and cutest Boston Terrier in the world, Bruce.
We got him exactly 5 years ago, after he was rescued from an illegal puppy-mill. Every day, I wish we could have rescued him sooner. Still, getting to have Bruce for the last 5 years has been a huge blessing in our lives.
Since Bruce doesn’t have social media or access to this Blog and won’t see this post, I want to make it about YOU and about what WE can learn from him and from all dogs in this world.
I thought I’d share with you 10 lessons he’s taught me over the years we’ve had him, because they are so valuable and I will carry them with me as long as I live.
1. Always wake up excited for what this day will bring
Every single day, whether it’s a weekday or a weekend, Bruce wakes up as soon as the clock hits 6am, because he is SO excited for his breakfast.
On a Sunday morning, this can seem inconvenient, but it still always makes me smile. He never knows what the day will bring or what our plans are, but his excitement is equally contagious each and every day.
He has taught me that every single day can be a turning point in my life if I choose to be open to it. We never know what life has in store for us, so we might as well get excited!
2. Get psyched and happy about the little things
I’ve never seen someone get SO pumped about a morning walk, even if it’s the exact same round we take every single morning.
Bruce starts prancing around as soon as I grab his leash, he jumps up against the door and looks at me with his cute, giant puppy-eyes, saying: “Come on mom, let’s go, let’s do this! I can’t wait!”
Bruce has taught me that every day, we can choose to be happy about the present moment, instead of dreading getting out of bed.
It’s all about the mindset. Choosing to be happy about the little things, instead of seeing them as a chore makes life so much easier and more enjoyable.
3. Be curious about the world around you
Bruce loves to explore our neighborhood, other people’s houses we visit, the dog park, anywhere we take him really.
His curiosity is so inspiring to me. Curiosity is what makes life an adventure! Every single day, I remind myself of his curiosity when I do things outside of my comfort zone. Being curious is part of being courageous, so he teaches me to choose courage and curiosity over fear as much as possible.
4. Don’t be afraid of failing or getting shut down
Bruce loves running up to much bigger dogs and introduce himself. He is never afraid of them and never ever backs down. The bigger the other dog, the more curious and courageous Bruce is, which I love.
If the other dog is mean to him, he will simply walk away. A fight isn’t worth his time.
This is a very valuable lesson for me in terms of not being intimidated by people I look up to or by projects I am launching. I simply don’t have to be afraid to be shut down.
If it happens, I can simply move on with my day and think to myself: “At least I tried.”
5. Be resilient when something knocks you down
Bruce went through a traumatic eye injury twice, as well as a complicated dental surgery all within one year. He recently recovered from a major allergic reaction to mites, too.
It was scary for us to see him suffer, but he was just the most resilient little guy we could have ever dreamed of.
He recovered completely, against all odds, and was back to his happy self within days or weeks of his setbacks.
Bruce is an example of someone that never gives up, no matter what life throws at him and I have learned so much from his strength and faith in himself.
6. Stand up for yourself when you want something
When Bruce wants a treat, a walk, his dinner or his playtime, he will not back down until he gets what he deserves.
He knows when enough is enough, so he likes to push our boundaries sometimes.
This is actually a good thing, because it has taught me to ask for what I want, even if the answer is “no”. We can always ask, because I promise that at some point, the answer will be “yes”. Whether it’s a raise at work, a new work partnership, a date, a relationship, a friendship or the life we desire for ourselves, we have to fight for what we want.
7. Cuddling and playing is an important part of life
Bruce knows that life isn’t just about completing to-do lists. He loves to cuddle and play and simply find joy in life.
His priority list always inspires me to stop taking life so seriously. He knows that snuggling, human connection and playtime are a huge happiness-factor of our lives.
As humans, we always get caught up in doing chores and checking things off our list. My dog reminds me that there is things in life that no to-do list will fulfill: Connecting with each other and having fun.
8. Feel your feelings
Bruce has been an incredible help throughout my mental health struggles in the past and throughout stressful times of my life.
When I feel anxious, he mirrors my emotions and let’s me know that he’s right there, feeling my feelings. “Let’s share the pain, let me take some of that pain off your shoulders for you” is what he tries to say to me.
It melts my heart when he simply sits with me as I process difficult emotions. He listens to me cry, licks the tears off my face and asks me to play with him to take my mind off of things.
Feeling our feelings is a strength, not a weakness and Bruce has taught me this lesson over and over.
9. Take breaks and slow down more
This goes without saying: Bruce LOVES to take naps and to rest after a long walk or a big meal. He has taught me the importance of taking breaks and not working around the clock.
When I have sat at my desk for hours on end, he will come over at some point, jump on my lap and let me know that it’s time to slow down, take a walk, get some food or rest.
It’s almost like I know what he is trying to tell me with every move he makes.
Working towards our goals is great, but it’s also crucial for us to take breaks, get enough sleep and take care of our wellbeing. Thank you for the daily reminder, Bruce!
10. Time flies, so make time for being present and enjoying the moment
Every day, when Bruce and I take our walk, I watch him be completely present in the moment. He doesn’t go over his to-do list for the day. He doesn’t try and overanalyze what happened yesterday or 3 years ago. His thoughts revolve around the present moment.
He is happy to be outside, sniff around, take pees and breathe in the fresh air. My takeaway: All we have is the present moment, so we should focus on taking it all in.
I am forever grateful for this little guy and I know that no matter how long he will continue to be with us, it’s never going to be enough. That is why I do my best to make every moment with him count.
What has your dog or pet taught you about life? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!!
