4 important life lessons my pets have taught me.

I watched a video yesterday that touched me (there’s a link to it on my Facebook page here). In it a girl with a sweet dog is shown repeatedly focusing on her phone, whilst the dog seeks attention and doesn’t get it, as the girl is so distracted by her phone, even when taking the dog for a walk or going to bed at night.
The video was making a point and it did make me uncomfortable for a moment, as I find myself sometimes at the computer with a furry face looking up at me and I hear myself say ‘just a minute’ as I type.

Yet, before I started to judge myself for that I became aware that it’s the presence of my furry friends that often inspires me to be more ‘present’ in the moment.  It reminded me of what great teachers our pets are, how they embody such wonderful qualities and teach us some important life lessons.

Here are four things that my wonderful animal companions have taught me.

1. Staying in the moment.

As I said above, our animal friends are always fully ‘present’ in each moment. Us people can be easily distracted from the present moment, thinking about the future or back to the past, caught up in worries or daydreams. We’re often missing out on what’s going on here and now. I reckon that is part of the reason that ‘mindfulness’ is becoming so popular. Becoming mindful of the present moment, what activities we’re doing, or following our breath is very balancing and centring.

When I’m with my animals, when I’m stroking or cuddling them or even admiring their antics, there’s no way I can be anything BUT present. The feel of their fur, or the interaction between us, always invites me to live fully in that moment, to savour it. Just like they do. They live each moment with full abandon. What a great way to live.

2. Unconditional love.

The most treasured lesson I’ve learned from my animal companions is that of unconditional love. To be loved like they love us is almost too precious to describe. There is no other relationship in which we are so totally adored, loved and accepted just as we are in each moment. They never criticise or judge us.

For me, looking into my sweet Sally dog’s eyes is looking into deep pools of that unconditional love. When Baby cat comes and cuddles and purrs, that’s the vibration of unconditional love. And all, just for me, being me, no matter what my mood, whether I’ve paid them attention or not. Having my pets has really opened me up to receiving such love with ease as I allow myself to bask in such special, unconditional love.

3. Playfulness.

My pets are my family, I don’t have human children. They gift me so much with their playfulness and endless opportunities for fun and laughter.

Baby in particular keeps me laughing day in, day out. She’s ace at football (I can often be found playing kitten football at midnight with her), she enthusiastically goes on walks with me, delights in climbing trees and she runs around like a whirlwind. Her excited energy is contagious. I often turn into a little kid around her and I love that. I love the spontaneous laughter and play that she inspires.

I also love her ( and all my pet’s) joy of living. Pets may just be the most joyful ‘expressers’ of life I know (kids can be ace at that too, of course). My pets give me 100 extra reasons to smile and laugh every day. I can’t thank them enough for that.

4. Trust and kindness.

Sometimes specific pets teach us specific lessons, through their qualities, their actions, their characters. Poozie was once such teacher. She taught me about serendipity, kindness and trust.
I am forever grateful for Poozie showing up in my life at the perfect time. It was a good few years ago now, back in the 1990’s when my pet family consisted of several fancy rats (rats are the most wonderful pets … and I give them a shout out as part of World Rat Day in this week’s video).

The challenge.

At the time I’d had a very challenging experience with a new young rat, called Minnie, who was over-dominant and unpredictable with people. Now, rats are wonderful friendly and gentle pets, but this one would bite, unprovoked and randomly (I’d never had another rat that did that before or since, it really is very rare).
Despite my best efforts and consulting with experienced rat owners and breeders we couldn’t resolve her issues and we chose, with heavy hearts, to have her euthanized. The whole thing affected me quite deeply (I didn’t have all the coping tools I now use) and one side effect was that I began to get nervous around some pet rats.
The breeder who we consulted about Minnie was very kind and she offered to give me a new rat companion. For the first time ever, when sitting in amongst a bunch of sweet baby rats (which usually would melt my heart … and would make me feel like being a kid in a wonderful sweet shop) I was nervous. I was also embarrassed at being nervous and not really wanting any of them and wasn’t sure what to say.

Poozie saves the day.

Then, one rat came and sat by my side. She wasn’t part of that litter, she was actually a recent rescue rat. She sat quietly by my side and looked up at me. Her eyes shone with gentle kindness and instantly I relaxed. I felt she knew exactly what was going on for me and she was telling me that it was all ok, she’d be my new friend. And she was. She came home with me and I called her Poozie. She was the gentlest creature, so understanding, sweet and loving. She restored my sense of faith and trust in one moment, with one glance and her gentle presence.

Video

This week I look at different ways our pets are our teachers, in sickness and in health.

What lessons have your pets taught you?

Take a moment to reflect about what your pet has taught you about life and living.
Did they give you a greater understanding of unconditional love, like Sally did for me?
Did they help you be more playful and laugh more, like Baby did for me?
Or, is it something completely different?

I’d love to hear your stories and insights in the comments section below.

Thank you.

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