Lessons That Having a Dog Has Taught Me About Life
Animals truly enhance our lives and make us better people.
I didn’t grow up having pets, so I had no idea how much an animal could better my life. When I got my first dog about twenty years ago, a Boston Terrier, I was smitten. I always say that she picked me.
I was exploring a couple of different breeds, and a Boston Terrier was one I really liked. They told me they had a puppy and brought her out. She was the sweetest little girl. Happy and playful right away. I think she knew I would be her mom.
I am not an impulsive person and wanted to think about the significant commitment of getting a dog, so I told them that I had to mull it over. They took her out of my arms, and as they did, she looked at me and wouldn’t stop barking. I proceeded to leave, and I saw them put her back in the crate. The whole time she didn’t take her eyes off of me and continued to yelp.
I left and couldn’t stop thinking about Lily. Lily, the name popped into my head as I was holding her. So what did I do? I went back. I had to have her. I felt the synchronicity of her looking deep into my eyes and picking me. I had to get my little princess.
She was my pal and my protector. I loved my girl. I would joke and say I felt like I gave birth to her myself. But it was how I felt. People who don’t own dogs have no idea how much they add to our lives and how much love you have for your furry kids.
Lily made me a better person and taught me what true unconditional love was all about. You can feel how intensely your dog loves you and how they depend on you. They are so devoted and they are selfless. It makes you want to be just like them.
Dogs love hard, play hard and live life to the fullest. It really is how we as humans should look at life. Lily’s passion was swimming. She loved it and did it up until her death. She had to wear a life preserver in the end, but I was happy she could continue. Lily was only thirty-five pounds, but she was a force and protective of me. She showed me how I should embrace life.
I remember once we were on a walk and a larger dog approached us barking and growling. Lily was ready to take him on to defend me. I wound up having to pick her up because she was fearless. I would tell friends that Lily was a brave, badass bitch, and that’s how I wanted to be.
It’s incredible how dogs give so much love. They tune into their humans’ feelings and know when you feel sad. They are always there for us and would give their lives for us. How amazing to live life loving so purely.
Even abused dogs ultimately want to be loved, and they can teach us about forgiveness. An abused dog is willing to forgive and give a human another chance to love them. Dogs are indeed angels.
Lily gave me so much love during her lifetime. When she was five, she had a traumatic neck injury and many medical problems. She was a trooper, and regardless of her health problems, she still loved life. It was years of medical bills, but I never would give up on my girl. She was there for me through all the ups and downs of my life, and I wanted to be there for her until the end.
Lily had to be put down when she was thirteen. My son was three at the time. I had picked him up at preschool, and when we got home, I could hear her moaning. I took her to the vet, confirming what I knew but didn’t want to hear. I lost my best friend that day, but I will never forget my girl and how much she taught me about life.
Thank you, Yana Bostongirl, for the prompt “Does your pet make you a better person?”
Filiz Özer writes the following story about her amazing animals. Please take a look at how adorable they are.
