Lessons From A Pup

Dr. Deb 16 Dec 2017

I got a puppy. I’ve had dogs before, but they were older rescue dogs, so this is my first adventure into being a puppy mom.

Izzy, as she was to be called a few days after we met, was only 6-weeks old and 4.2 pounds (1.9 kilos). In only ten days, she has gained 1.8 pounds and learned so much!

I also try to learn from life’s experiences, so learning from the new pup is no exception.

Everything is new. Like human babies, puppies come into the world knowing not much. Therefore, everything is a learning opportunity! Izzy has been challenging me to look at life through new eyes.

What do I notice that I’ve been blind to before or haven’t “seen” in awhile?
How can I see things from a new perspective?
What might I do in order to see with fresh eyes?
What can I learn today?

Life is an adventure. It’s amazing how much entertainment, exercise and learning can come out of the smallest thing like a toilet roll! A simple piece of round cardboard functions as a teething ring, exercise equipment, toy and something to be conquered!

What new adventure might I try? Doing the same things put you in a rut. Literally, doing the same thing over and over creates ruts in the brain.

Puppies lick up love (literally). They are not afraid of affection, praise or compliments. In fact, they thrive on them. Anyone who has successfully trained a puppy or raised a child knows that love and affirmation are key in teaching discipline. Nothing says, “Don’t pee in the house,” like a reward of affection outside in the grass.

Are people loving and affirming me in ways I’m ignoring?
What keeps me from accepting compliments?

Puppies give love. I once heard this prayer: “God help me be the person my dog thinks I am.” Puppies are not yet hard from the pain of the world. They haven’t yet been disappointed, mistreated or otherwise hurt.

How can I return to that innocent place where I live as one who hasn’t been battered by the storms of life?
How can I find renewed grace to love and respect everyone?

They are full of life; puppies run and play like there’s no tomorrow. They go flat out until there is nothing left and then collapse for a nap, only to be restored for the next round of fun!

How can I work against a culture that says to get old is to get lazy? Where might I look to find new energy?
What new friends or experiences might help me gain a new passion for life?

Sure puppies are still learning discipline, leave little puddles around the house, are annoying to older members of their species, and are a stinking lot of work for those who have given them a forever home.

But they also have so very much to teach and give to us…if only we have eyes to see.

“Happiness is a warm puppy.”

—Charles M. Schulz (cartoonist, Peanuts)

“A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won’t be too bad.”

—Robert Wagner (actor, The Longest Day)

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”

—Josh Billings (a.k.a. Henry Wheeler Shaw; humorist and lecturer)

“The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.”

―M.K. Clinton (author, The Returns)

“What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”

—Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th President of the United States)

“Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate.”