COFFEE TIMES — LIFE
Senior Dogs Teach Me So Much About Life and How to Be Kind
A Deep Look Into A Dog’s Eyes Reveals Love
Our previous dog, Reggie, was a senior beagle when we adopted him. We nurtured him in his golden years for the remaining two years of his life. After he passed, my husband and I realized we were meant to adopt the seniors that no one else wanted, because they teach us so much life — forgiveness and kindness are at the top of the list.
In some cases, senior animals are relinquished because their owners have passed on. That are the easy stories to digest. In other cases, the dogs have been neglected, traumatized, or abused. At least they make it to a shelter.
When we met our last dog, Reggie, we were interested in adopting a dog, but never thought we would end up with a senior dog, much less a beagle. If you know anything about beagles, they are low and slow when you go out for a walk. Don’t even think about doing anything fast. Patience is a virtue? Nope. Patience is a necessity with beagles.
During those two years, I learned to slow down and take notice of my surroundings. While he sniffed every bit of ground in front of him, I was looking up and around. I noticed little things, like the colors of houses and new roofs in the neighborhood, and… the list goes on. Once I realized what was happening to me, I began to enjoy the walks, knowing that it was a pleasant break from work or school.
The part of Reggie’s story that taught me the most valuable lesson is that he came from a severely neglected past. The counselor told us that a man carried in him just as the shelter was closing. He placed Reggie on the counter and left. When she inspected him, she noticed his nails were so long they were curling under into his pads. She called the vet immediately and told her she wouldn’t leave until she came that night. She just couldn’t leave Reggie overnight.
I don’t know how long he had been at the shelter before we eyed him, all curled up like a dog burrito in a blanket. As we stood at his cage for a bit, he finally appeared, sticking his head out. We asked about him and had a meet and greet in the yard.
He wasn’t eager to be around humans, but do you blame him? As we watched him, there was something about him that drew us in, and we knew he was the one. I have heard that pets choose their owners. I am learning to believe this.
The moment we brought him home, he hopped up onto our couch and did a happy dance. I couldn’t believe it. And, every day after that, I learned to appreciate the tender heart of Reggie. He was always a gentleman, and ever gracious.
I kept saying, “You would think he would be pissed off at humanity.” But not Reggie. He wasn’t a cuddly fellow, but dogs being pack animals, he wanted to be around us as much as possible.
Reggie taught me forgiveness. I would stare into his big, soulful eyes and think, how could he even look at me lovingly? He didn’t know if I was going to be true to him, but he trusted me in that moment. And that’s when I realized that forgiveness begins like that. Open your heart a little bit and just be present to the healing that can come.
Today, we have a new senior pooch, Miss Dolce. She is a mix of Chihuahua-terrier (we think). She was ten when we adopted her, and this past December was three years with us. The adoption agency told us that she was used as a backyard breeder, and when she couldn’t “serve” any longer, they took her to the shelter.
Again, she has every right to be pissed off at humanity. When we first got her, she hid in our bathroom, shaking. It took her a while to trust us, but now she hops in my arms, licks my face and nose, and is like a healthy little dog. Chihuahuas are notorious for their fear and shaking. Dolce has taught me that lowering my voice and reminding her she is precious and valuable is often what people also need to hear when they’re afraid.
This experience as a pet owner to a fearful dog has also made me stop and reflect on my own fears in life. I haven’t had someone speak kindness in a low, gentle voice, but it doesn’t mean I can’t listen to the words I say to her and know they apply to me too.
The beauty of her size (all of 12 pounds soaking wet) is that we can take her to many more places, even inside stores. We bought a doggie backpack and carry her with us to most places.
Dolce (Italian for sweet) is not the name she had when we adopted her, but I renamed her to fit her personality.
Every day this little lady teaches me to keep hoping, because if she can have a new life, why can’t I? And, every day that she trusts me, it teaches me to open my heart to trust a bit more of others.
I feel like Victoria Gregg and I, were in sync when we wrote our pieces. Her memories of Lily and being a dog owner are of the unconditional love and tender care animals have for their human owners.
A shout out to Monoreena Acharjee Majumdar for this lovely poem about a once-lab rabbit turned best friend.
Congratulations Yana Bostongirl for your continued editing with Coffee Times Life!
Thank you to the editing crew at Coffee Times — Winston, Dr. Preeti Singh, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Sharing Randomly, and Marrisa W.
