It’s true. My dog only weighs about 20 pounds and has a brain about the size of a small orange (maybe that’s why she’s such a cutie!), but she has taught me many things. Her name is Lily and she is the best dog ever. I read a quote recently that said “Everyone thinks they have the best dog ever, and they’re right.” So maybe you have the best dog in the world too.
Lily enjoys the simple things in life, the simpler the better.. And when I spend time with her, I gain a better appreciation for those things as well.
We found Lily through a local rescue six years ago and bringing her home was one of the best decisions our family ever made. She is getting older now. She sleeps more than she used to, and she always slept a lot. In the morning, there are creaks and groans that come with a little stiffness and arthritis. She has begun to have some problems with her teeth. It is getting harder for her to jump up on my bed. So life is not all fun and games for her, but it is uncomplicated. Her needs are pretty basic. She is usually very happy and always very loving.
My kids often wish that they could live Lily’s life and take naps and get loves instead of going to school and doing homework and chores. I remind them that then they’d have to eat dog food and go outdoors to use the bathroom. But other than those two things, her life does seem pretty good. Here are a few things she has taught me and my family:
Being Loved Unconditionally is a Wonderful Thing
If you have never felt unconditional love, you really should get a dog. Josh Billings said, “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” Maybe I am biased, but I recommend rescuing a dog from a shelter or rescue organization. That way you have given them new life and they will give you the same thing in return.
The school year recently started again and poor Lily was so sad to see everyone go back to their regular schedules. Fortunately, I am home with her several days a week, but her kids have gone back to school. She sits watching the door waiting for their return and greets them with enthusiasm when they get home. She knows the time my husband returns from work and waits for him by the door. Having a dog means there is always someone happy to see you when you get home. She doesn’t complain about how her day went.or tease her siblings or start an argument. She just feels happy and lets you know it.
If I take her to the vet or the groomers (both of which she hates), she is so happy to see me when I pick her up. Okay, way more than happy, more like overwhelmed with pure joy. There are never hard feelings. And when we give her a bath (another dread of hers), she loves us even after we torture her with soap and water.
A Massage Can Work Wonders
We laugh at Lily’s floppy ears, especially when she shakes her head and they make that silly flapping sound. But when I see the joy she gets out of having them scratched, I sometimes wonder if having ears like that is an advantage. Lily’s ears are softer than velvet and so enjoyable to rub and scratch. She gets more massages in a day than I have had in my whole life. When you’re done with the ears, she rolls over and asks for her much needed belly rub. When you have completed that task, she moves on to find another person to meet her scratch and rub quota for the day.
The funny thing is we enjoy giving her massages as much as she enjoys receiving them. There is something very soothing about rubbing soft, floppy ears. Perhaps the lesson is: it’s better to give than to receive, but I think receiving a massage is also a very good thing.
Being a Little Messy is Okay
As you can see from the photos, Lily has long blonde fur. She sheds year round. My vacuum cleaner needs to be emptied with every use because her fur clogs it up. Lay on my living room carpet, and you will see what I mean. If you wear dark colors, she seems to be more attracted to you. I wear a lot of navy and black, so I also find myself wearing a lot of Lily. And I am totally fine with that.
Life isn’t meant to perfectly clean. That would make it sterile. Sterility might be a good thing in hospitals, and I do advocate spaying or neutering your pets, but living a sterile life doesn’t sound very happy at all. A sterile life would be lacking in love, joy, creativity, and happiness. Life with a dog can be messy, but it also creates a lot of fun and happy memories. I wouldn’t trade Lily for a clean floor, a fur-free outfit or a less messy home. It wouldn’t be home without her.
A Snuggle A Day Keeps the Frowns Away
It is really hard to frown when you are snuggling with a soft, furry, unconditionally loving creature. In fact, it almost always brings a smile to your face. If you are one of those unfortunates who doesn’t have a soft pet to snuggle with, hopefully you can snuggle with someone else. I highly recommend it. My kids are of an age where they no longer feel like snuggling much with mom. But Lily fills that void quite well. There is very little she likes more than to spoon up next to one of her people and just be close.
There is scientific evidence that petting or even touching your dog can lower your blood pressure and heart rate. Companion animals can also help lower anxiety, provide social interactions, and can even help children develop empathy for others. So get yourself a pet and snuggle the frowns away.
Getting Older Isn’t So Bad If Your Life Makes You Happy
Lily is getting older. She has slowed down some and when she doesn’t slow down, she pays a price. I am finding a few white hairs around her muzzle that weren’t there a year ago. She has a tooth that needs some repairs. She gets stiff when she lays on something too hard and jumping up on things isn’t as easy as it once was for her. But she is still the same happy girl.
She loves her family. The word “walk” still makes her jump for joy (so does “ride” and “grandpa”). She still loves to chew up her stuffed animals and spread the filling everywhere. She’s really good at it. Begging for people food is still one of her favorite past times, as is chasing squirrels and cats out of the backyard.
I need to take a lesson from Lily about aging. I too have been getting a few white hairs and I am not taking it near as well as she does. Morning stiffness occasionally finds me as I slowly get out of bed. Stretching more often (like Lily does) helps with that. The fillings I got as a child (sure, mom, I brushed my teeth before bed…) have led to some cracks and crowns and even a couple of root canals. I have a wonderful dentist, but I dread going to his office. As I get older, things just don’t work or look like the used to. But I have my family, and I am trying to fill my life with things that bring me happiness and fulfillment. It is definitely making the aging process easier. So does having a dog like Lily in my life.
A Girl’s Best Friend
I could go on and list 5 more things I have learned since Lily moved in. Perhaps another time, in another post I will. We found Lily through a website called Petfinder.com. I knew when I saw her face that she belonged with us. There are many rescues in your area. Petfinder is only one source. If you are in a position to add a furry friend to your home, I would highly recommend it. The love and happiness you gain is worth more than the work and messes that can come with owning a dog.
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