Like everyone else, I get caught up in the daily grind of life and before I know it, stress has stealthily snuck in and that peaceful Zen place that I try to maintain is barely a memory.
If it were not for my dogs, I truly believe that my journey in life would be far more challenging than it is. I would have aged faster, been far less healthy and probably unhappy. When I think of this, I also remember that even though I may not speak it and don't find the time to show it, I am grateful for them every day. They help me get out of bed. They may sleep in a little later on the rainy days, but when it's time to get up, it's time to get up. Raider lies in a sphinx position and begins to tap me on the head with his paw - very cat-like. A slow smile creeps across my face and I start even the rainiest of days in a good mood. At the end of a long day, just one look into their eyes and a wag of their tail can put a smile on my face when there was a frown.
They warm my spot on the bed on the cold nights, before I get in. That is awesome!
As the warm winds of summer turn into the cold gloomy rains of fall, the idea of spending an entire weekend inside is more enjoyable with them warming my feet while I read or have a Lord of the Rings marathon. When my eyes are bigger than my stomach, they happily share my popcorn, extra butter and parmesan cheese.
They help me find peace along my walks by showing me the beauty in nature that was overlooked while in a torrent of thought, be it a snake in the grass, a rabbit rushing from the brambles or a squirrel leaping from branch to branch. Their enthusiasm for every moment and every living thing awakens the childlike wonder within me.
They have taught me the meaning of loyalty and trust. Where humans have repeatedly failed in this department, my dogs have never let me down. I can even say they have taught me a lesson or two of my own.
They are the inspiration for my writing, endless fodder for this column, and the subject of the many stories filled with laughter and sorrow that I share with friends and family. They speak to me with their beautiful hazel eyes. At times, I think there is magic in those eyes. One deep look can dispel anger and resentment in an instant. There is a spot right behind their ears that sometimes smells like chocolate chip cookies and vanilla and I don't know why, but it slows my racing heart when I smell it.
They have no agenda, time is meaningless to them, and age is irrelevant. I try to remind myself of this as often as I can. Not because it will benefit my dogs for me to remember this, but it will benefit me. Something to live by.
Their constant concern for my safety allows me to walk uninhibited and fearless through life, knowing they will always have my back, always.
When there is an obstacle in my path, real or metaphorical, they always go out ahead of me and look over their shoulder as if to say, "This way mom, it's safe this way."
They are able to sense the subtlest of mood changes from me. Raider is especially sensitive to grief and this often allows me to be mindful of my thoughts, finding a way out of any mental darkness before it takes hold.
They are always around me, always. They follow me from room to room, inside to outside, upstairs from downstairs. They want to participate in every moment of my life when we are together, a constant shadow of unconditional love.
Without them in my life, I don't know what kind of a person I would be. But I know that they make me a better person and I am so grateful for that.
Joan has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her at k9kinship.com
