Dogs
This is Max. He is the best. Max is excitable and loving. He is always up for anything. He always wants to be involved.
Max reminds me that joy is in small moments. That walks feel good. That sleep and rest and more lying around would improve most people's lives. Every day for Max is the best day ever. He is loaded with joy.
I think that dogs are an excellent reminder of what is important in life. They live for people, connection, food, sleep, fun, discovering and connection.
I once sat next to a man on a plane and he started talking to me about his dog. He had a small white dog named “Amy”. He went on to tell me that he ‘was never a dog person’ but after his wife died, he thought that he would like to get a dog. His next line blew me away - he said “I decided that I needed another heartbeat in the house”.
Pets are amazing companions. When we stare into the eyes of an animal that we love we produce oxytocin. Patting a pet reduces cortisol. Max makes me fitter - I walk way more regularly when I have Max around. Part guilt, part responsibility!
Here are the ten best things that I think we can learn from having a dog.
They’re fully present. A dog on a walk isn’t replaying yesterday’s meeting or rehearsing tomorrow’s. It’s sniffing this lamppost, right now. Most of our stress lives in the past or the future.
They greet people like they matter. You come home and they lose their minds with joy, every single time. Imagine if we greeted our partners, kids or colleagues with even a fraction of that.
They don’t hold grudges. You accidentally step on a paw and thirty seconds later it’s all forgotten. They let things go fast.
They rest without guilt. A dog that’s tired lies down. No “I should be doing something productive.” Rest is just part of the day.
They move every day. Walks aren’t optional, and they’re never bored of the same route. Daily movement plus fresh air does a lot of heavy lifting for mood.
They ask for what they need. Hungry, want a walk, want a pat? They’ll nudge you. No hinting and hoping someone guesses.
They’re honest about how they feel. A wagging tail means happy. A growl means back off. No mixed signals, no pretending to be fine.
They find joy in small things. A stick. A sunny patch on the floor. The car window down. Delight doesn’t need to be big or expensive.
They’re loyal. They show up for their people, consistently, without keeping score.
They play. Adults mostly stop playing. Dogs never do, and they’re better for it.