We got my dog over a decade ago, a time marked with great excitement and pee all over the floor (by the dog, to clarify). We travelled hours to get her, one rescue dog amongst many. We saw her; she saw us; she peed; it was love at first sight.
Ten years on, I can safely say that she is the coolest member of the family, the baby everyone wants to hold, and the one most likely to be on the cover of Vanity Fur. Whilst I stress about things – deadlines, friendships, paying bills – my dog has it pretty figured out. She is confident in who she is and goes about her life with a puppy-like enthusiasm. If she had a paw-friendly laptop, I’m convinced she would ace university (and look good in a grad hat whilst doing so).
She manages to excel in ways I can only dream of. Take, for instance, her light-hearted, sincere take on life. Most days she lies in past 10, not worrying about judgement from early risers who find the need to prove their productivity by doing it before even the sun is fully awake. Then, she takes a potter in the garden, does her business, takes time to sniff the flowers, watches the squirrels. It’s the small things in life that excite her. Particularly frogs.
Next, it’s breakfast time. Most days it’s the same, but, if there happens to be leftover smoked salmon, it’s as if she’s won the lottery; pure, unfiltered joy will radiate from her, and all before 11am.
Credit: Emilia Brooks.
She will generally be encouraged to take a walk and, despite being a homebody, she embraces the freedom and fresh air of nature. She has no qualms mingling with random people, but she knows her limits; if she doesn’t want to socialise, she won’t push herself. If finding herself in an awkward social situation at a dinner party, she will do what we all want to do, and hide under the nearest available sofa.
Later on in the day, it’s designated snuggle time. She loves it. We love it. There’s something to say about a dog’s ability to unconditionally love anyone, say hi to everyone, and make people’s day. That said, my dog will welcome anyone into our house which, whilst beautifully inclusive, rules out her career as a guard dog. No problem, she doesn’t fret about such things as futures.
All this has a point, I promise. Although I am my dog’s #1 fangirl, I’m not suggesting you forget your futures for smoked salmon, peeing when you meet a new friend, or even licking the hands of unsuspecting strangers. Instead, I think we can all learn a lesson from dogs. Whilst I only seem to grab at non-existent straws, my dog, like many other dogs, has certain qualities that allow her to grab life by the paws.
So take from this what you will, but I feel it’s important to point out a few ways in which dogs inspire us to live a more ‘pawsitive’ life (thank ChatGPT for that one): live in the moment, appreciate the small things, get outside, prioritise sleep, know your limits, be kind to all, and, most importantly, don’t bite strangers.
And I will include a photo of my dog, there’s no need to ask.
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