Lessons From Labs

Hi lovelies! I'm baaaacckkk.  Last year in my blog, I wrote a post called "Lessons from fur" about what I've learned from my sweet kitty, Zoomer.  May she rest in catnip-filled, sans dogs, kitty heaven. I thought I would write one today about a lesson or two (or 5) I've learned from my labs.  We have two black labs.  Bela and Riley.  They are 9 years old and just the best dogs ever.

Lesson 1.  Overcome your fears to fulfill your destiny.

Bela ran away while hunting when she was a puppy and was gone from us for 2 weeks.  When she came home, she was extremely gun shy.  Travis wanted a bird hunting dog and that requires NO fear of guns.  So he worked with her for a long time to overcome her "hide under the table" fear.  She became quite the upland game bird hunter!  She is a retrieving fool.

Lesson 2.  Live in the present moment.

Dogs can tell time, I swear.  Give or take 10 minutes, come 9pm at night (even if it's not dark, I used to think they would go by when it got dark) they are at the back door harassing us to let them in to eat and go to bed.  However, they don't dwell on it until that very moment.  They have such joy ALL the time.  Literally jumping up and down joy.  They aren't thinking about the nap they could be taking.  Or about the trip they could be on.  They aren't thinking ANYTHING but that EXACT moment they're living in.

Lesson 3.  Food is fuel.

My dogs have had eaten the same food every day since they were 1.  One cup in the morning and one cup at night of the same brand of food. And they are over the moon with happiness over that same food.  That would be like me eating chicken and rice for breakfast and then again at dinner.  And skipping around the room with joy over it.  With nothing but water in between and never eating based on a feeling, emotion, craving or event.  I really need to learn that lesson.

Lesson 4.  Play the cards you are dealt in life.

Bela has had a rough life...in the eyes of a judgmental person.  She was lost for 2 weeks (no idea where she was or what happened to her).  When she was 2, she got violently sick because of our neighbors from hell (in Idaho) putting their trash in our yard and she ate a pop can.  She poked one eye out in 2006 and went completely blind in 2011.  And yet...she is the happiest dog ever and STILL retrieves for Travis.  She doesn't know she's blind or "had it rough".  Because to her?  She's had an amazing life.

Lesson 5.  Live to serve others.

Travis is Riley's person.  She doesn't give two hoots that I even exist.  And I'm okay with that because I understand a pet and their person.  It's a relationship unlike any other.  And Riley LIVES to serve him.  She doesn't want to be pet, she doesn't want loves (Bela is our lover dog) and she doesn't want to do anything that isn't for Travis.  To fetch anything she can for him.  To hunt anything she can find that will please him.  Now when he's gone for long periods of time (after she's figured out that I have not indeed hidden him in the closet and has stopped being mad at me) she even finds a way to serve me and she lets me pet her.  I think it's because she subconsciously knows that she is still (indirectly) serving Travis by humoring me. But I tell ya, the thought that the only reason that sweet dog exists is for Travis is such a gift.  And one that I strive to emulate in my life.  Serving others IS a gift.  And one that we should all share. Til next time.  Starting up with "Fun Tix Budget" this week.  Can't wait!  It's definitely the lesson I need to learn most.

Love & Prayers, Laura