Thursday, October 20, 2011

Learning

I just finished watching an episode of The Dog Whisperer, where Cesar Millan talked about getting the dog you need, not necessarily the dog you want.  I love "AHA!" moments like these.  I started thinking about this statement and how it relates to my own life.  No matter which dog you choose from a litter, or a shelter, or who finds you, you'll be transformed.  But only if you're willing to open your heart.  Can you think of any close, family relationship that hasn't impacted your life?  I can't - human or canine.

Sometimes the change is life-altering.  Our hearts soar when we hear stories about people who've welcomed a dog into their lives that later saves their lives in a fire, or in a robbery, or provides companionship during long-term illness.  Then there are the dogs that bring more subtle changes.  Those that teach us patience with their constant leash-pulling, assertiveness while becoming confident walk leaders, or even empathy when they lick our tears away. There are very few relationships that connect with us as purely as the one we share with our dogs.  How could we not be influenced by them?  Learn from them?  Be changed by them...

It's hard to say what a dog will teach you when they come home for the first time, but that's part of the magic of relationships.  With an open heart, one day at a time, simply learning.  

How to be calm and assertive

we'll see...

How to be a great leader!

Please check out my article on The Examiner about walking your dog here.
And please also check out my Etsy shop, ForPetsSake for goodies!

14 comments:

  1. mom just loves watching Mr. Cesar.
    Benny & Lily

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  2. Very well said! We constantly learn new things from our four-legged friends.

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  3. Very well said!

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com

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  4. You are a wonderful writer :)
    What your said in your article is so true!

    ~Laura (Lexi and Jasper the Danes)

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  5. I WISH WISH wish Tinker could have stayed here with me. I fell so hard for her!!!! I wanted her so badly!!! She was so sweet and then so mean in just 2 minutes!! She would not be led she wanted to lead. She would bite me when I told her to stop digging a hole. She would bite me again and again!! Then be sweet!!
    xx, Fern

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  6. Great article! I am such a Cesar fan. You hit the nail on the head in that article. My lifelong mission with Lady is convincing her that she doesn't need to take care of the pack, because I will. Taking care of the pack is bred into her genes! Some family and friends think its weird that my dogs have to sit politely before getting dinner, wait at the door until I go out first, etc. Not all dogs need that level of leadership - my last German Shepherd did not. Lady does however, and even so, we still struggle! Did you see my recent post "One of Those Days?"

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  7. Nicely put!!! And, wow! Fantastic article :)

    Sweet hugs,
    Sierra Rose

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  8. Great post! We do learn so much from our pets...and the love they add to our lives is priceless. Whether they are saving people from a fire, from loneliness, from being impatient, whatever the case may be...life just wouldn't be the same without them. When you open your heart to an animal, magic really does happen.

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  9. What a beautiful pack and how true. Without our dogs we'd be only half the person we are.

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  10. Hi Y'all,

    Playing catch up! Great post. There is something so special about a great relationship, both Human and Animal.

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  11. Hi,

    Wow that's very nicely stated! Our human love watching Cesar too! :)

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  12. It is all about keeping your heart open and not making prejudgements. You said it with such love and experience in your words. Thanks.

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  13. Mommy loves Dog Whisperer! I totally agree with you. :)

    Woofs & hugs, <3

    ~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

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  14. And we benefit from the love that bounces back to us. Great post!

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