How My Dogs Changed The Way I See The World

There isn’t much thought that gets processed in the very instance I see a furry friend in public with his/her owner- I automatically squeal and smile (very few times have I shed a tear.) I have always grown up with dogs in my life, thanks to my gracious parents for that. However, I never would have thought they would impact me in such a monumental fashion.

“Okay, Dani, all you have to do is remember to fill their water bowl and feed them at exactly 3:00 PM. Pay no mind to the extensive barking that starts at approximately 2:20 PM, they WILL lay back down only if you turn your head.” Me to me.

Had I known the simple task of feeding my dogs would give me such gratification, I probably would’ve started at a younger age. The structure to a dogs feeding time is very much parallel with the structure you perform in your own life, alongside learning to put your needs aside to accommodate theirs first. Similar, I’m sure, to having children. Not that I plan to embark on that journey any time soon, however I imagine it to be a terrific foundation. I’ve found my Golden Retriever, Sadie (Pictured in the feature image above↑) and my beautiful German Shepard, Carley (Pictured below↓) to be confidants of my deepest woes and monumental heartbreaks. It may sound silly to paint such a picture of canines, yet you’d understand perhaps having invested yourself more emotionally. YES that sounds absurd and YES I sound like a crazy dog woman. Nonetheless, they’ve changed the way I see in the world.

Through their dark eyes is just another day to be thankful. They get excited at every meal, unaware where it comes from or that its the same repeating meal everyday. With love and affection, they blossom into a living replication of the way people should view their life and the value of such. Little things are forgotten, a toy that’s put to bed or when they chew up the tissues in the bathroom- minutes later they’re onto something else, not dwelling on things that are out of their control. That is something I struggle with daily. Someone takes my parking spot or I have ungodly amounts of homework or even when something small doesn’t go my way- my initial first thought is to whine and complain. Then it occurs to me that anything worth griping about shouldn’t wear an everyday label. Meaning, there are individuals who can’t afford a car to get their parking spot taken, there are some who would KILL at the opportunity to have an education and there are some who have much, much larger problems than I. We need to be more like our dogs, not harping on insignificant matters but moving on. To the next toy, to the next point of conflict. At least, I think we should. Being grateful changes the value in every matter you didn’t see fit before. Every point and pivot of life is intended to test your patience right? Okay, well I’ll choose to be the person petting the dogs and reminding myself constantly of that.

Invest yourself in your dogs and see how it changes you, too.

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