Thinking about the special dogs my family has cared for over the years, and all the joy, spirit and unqualified love they’ve expressed, I chuckled when reading the below sent in by a reader.
A family was discussing among themselves why dogs live shorter lives than humans.
The four year old son piped up, “I know why!” He said. “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life–like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Being a dog lover – this is perfect. No wonder dog backwards is God. They are such a wonderful example. They don’t have any junk clogging up their thought – they are only expressing Love. Especially like the digging for the important stuff. Thanks
Thanks, Evan, for this post.
I had heard a slightly different version of the answer…that this human/canine experience on earth is a proving ground to our true spiritual selfood, and dogs just naturally learn those lessons faster and move on.
It used to bother me that dogs had much shorter lifespans than humans, but I realized that’s because we are trying to judge life from a limited human sense of time. In the realm of Spirit, there’s only eternity, so they aren’t short-changed in any way. My dogs always have and always will continue to express endless qualities of joy and love, and ever enrich my life!
Dogs seem to take on the character of their owners, I’ve noticed. Some can appear quite mean when they don’t know you well, although I don’t think they were born with these qualities in their nature.
Ever hear the words, “Meaner than a junk-yard dog”? I think the words come from an old song about Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown.
He was badder than old King Kong! And a dog in his household probably wouldn’t appear friendly and loving, except towards the owner.
Hi Monica,
Yep, you got it. Life is not measured in years. Life is eternal. Physical bodies are but symbols for divine ideas that exist forever in Mind. Symbols may disappear, but the idea, the real substance, is forever.
This was a great blog!!! I love the comments from the bloggers! Evan, your answer back about physical bodies being symbols for divine ideas was really helpful for a problem I have been working on and it just clicked when you put it in writing. In back of everyting we see, say or do is a divine idea and the healing came as this realization came to my consciousness. Thanks!!!!!
You are so welcome!
This is just beautiful!
Love this. Thank you Evan.