Dogs Can Teach Our Kids

Grandson Drew with His Dog Wycliffe

Pizza was ordered for dinner. One of the extended family members asked that some portion of the pies be cheese only. 

 

When the feast arrived an adolescent entered the room.  Seeing an offering that was cheese only, and motivated by today’s environment to callously feel free to speak whatever comes to mind, he vociferously expressed his disdain for cheese pizza, although there were plenty of other offerings for him to consume.

 

The adults in the room where concerned that he may have offended the “cheese only” requester.  They attempted to quell the moment by presenting numerous reasons as to why “cheese only” would be preferred.  They also gently tried to explain that the same anti-cheese pizza proclamation, while terribly trivial and thus unnecessary, could have been expressed by enthusiastic support for his favorite pizza.   

But this “Trumpian” youth – Vote for a face like that, Heroes don’t get captured, mocking a disabled reporter - was unable to grasp the concept of civilized discourse.  But the adults tried.  They planted the seeds that hopefully will flourish in the future.

The wisdom below comes from an essay describing why dogs live shorter lives than humans.  The author would have most certainly been credited if they were known. 

 

”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The six-year-old continued,

”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay for as long as we do.”

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

• When your loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Be faithful.
• Never pretend to be something you’re not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

That's the secret of happiness that we can learn from a good dog.

“People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?  Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay for as long as we do.”

 

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

 

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

 

• When your loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Be faithful.
• Never pretend to be something you’re not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

 

Those are some of the secrets of a GOOD life that can be learned from a GOOD dog.”