Beyoncé once asked, "Who run the world?", and she then answered for all of us when she obviously said, "Girls"...I mean it's true, we (as a collective gender) gave birth to the world.
However, I think Queen Bey forgot something very important when it comes to people, and those who rule it--it would be impossible to run anything if you didn't have (hu)man's best friend by your side. Not only do dogs selflessly provide us with something to pet and keep us warm at night, but they provide us with undeniable and unrelenting love and affection. It would be pretty lonely ruling the world without a dog there to put a little pep into your step.
It seems silly, really, that dogs don't get any credit for making the world a better place. It also seems silly that I'm even thinking about dogs ruling the world (hey, that's not a horrible idea). But I think there's some value into considering that while humans can change a dogs life, it's just as important to recognize that dogs can inherently change a human's life. We spend a lot of time training our dogs to respond to what we say, and how to act in social environments, and what not--but all the while our dogs were teaching us things- patience, encouragement, and reminding us of what pure happiness looks like, just to name a few.
I once read something somewhere that has ever since stuck with me: "I don't trust a person who doesn't like dogs. But I trust a dog who doesn't like a person". People who don't like dogs are missing out on some of the truest love I'll ever experience...I mean, people don't pee themselves with excitement when I return home everyday. But dogs, dogs are genuinely so excited to see you after a work day; and are equally genuinely as upset when you leave for the work day. I don't know about you, but no human has ever missed me enough to pee in the driveway upon greeting me.
I started thinking the other day, when I saw a dog trapped inside a hot car (PTL for the police officer who got him out) about all the things my little mutt has taught me, and it didn't take long for me to recognize that the list doesn't really seem to end. She's obnoxious and barks loud, and constantly begs for attention- but she has also without a doubt, made my life more whole. So as I sit here and listen to the news, where it seems a dystopian society isn't all that taboo, I feel a little bit better when my dog lays her head in my lap.
So, I've compiled a list of some of the things my dog has taught me.
1. How to love.
I just don't know if there's a whole lot more to detail on this one. My whole life I was lucky to grow up around dogs, and from a very young age I was always aware of how much my dogs loved my family. All of our pets have been from the shelter or rescued, and we knew that we had a responsibility to give these dogs (and cats) not just a house, or food, but a home- with a family who would love endlessly. And that we did. If you're going to take on the responsibility of pet owning, they become not just an animal--but rather, a part of your family. They shouldn't be there was an accessory to your living room, or stuck in a cage- they should be entertained, played with, loved, and praised...just like a child.
2. Patience
It's not always easy talking a socially excited dog on a neighborhood stroll. She's easily excited and constantly on the hunt trying to chase the smells and follow the squirrels. But it doesn't take long to look a the joy the little things bring her. She's constantly smiling, and prod of herself for running down the birds or following her nose to new territory. She simply never forgets to...
3. Stop and smell the roses. All too often we're all caught up in society's tangled web to really stop and appreciate even the smallest (yet extremely important) aspects of life.
4. Joy is contagious.
Dogs are constantly wagging their tails and jumping on their human companions as the simplest and purest form of joy I have ever experienced. They play their emotions on their sleeve, and always know that those puppy-dog eyes will work every time. Dogs don't have hidden agendas (unless there's a treat involved), and are genuinely HAPPY beings. Being around a dog can easily turn a crummy day right around.
5. Always work for food.
They've nailed the tricks-for-food thing, and I'm willing to bet my work ethic would take a sharp turn up in productivity if my boss gave me food every time I did something right.
6. Never go to bed angry
Every day that I see my dog, I am absolutely attacked with hugs and kisses no matter how long I've been away. When I leave for work in the morning, she mopes around and droops her tail because she's upset she lost her playmate for the day...but upon the family returning home, all of feelings of neglect are completely forgotten.
In short, it's not hard to realize that dogs have a huge impact on our lives. Our society needs to recognize that as silly as it sounds, dogs are people too...they love, they care, they understand. You wouldn't leave your child in a hot car, so don't leave your dog there. You wouldn't leave your child chained up outside all day, so why would you do that to your dog?
So you tell me, who runs the world?
However, I think Queen Bey forgot something very important when it comes to people, and those who rule it--it would be impossible to run anything if you didn't have (hu)man's best friend by your side. Not only do dogs selflessly provide us with something to pet and keep us warm at night, but they provide us with undeniable and unrelenting love and affection. It would be pretty lonely ruling the world without a dog there to put a little pep into your step.
It seems silly, really, that dogs don't get any credit for making the world a better place. It also seems silly that I'm even thinking about dogs ruling the world (hey, that's not a horrible idea). But I think there's some value into considering that while humans can change a dogs life, it's just as important to recognize that dogs can inherently change a human's life. We spend a lot of time training our dogs to respond to what we say, and how to act in social environments, and what not--but all the while our dogs were teaching us things- patience, encouragement, and reminding us of what pure happiness looks like, just to name a few.
I once read something somewhere that has ever since stuck with me: "I don't trust a person who doesn't like dogs. But I trust a dog who doesn't like a person". People who don't like dogs are missing out on some of the truest love I'll ever experience...I mean, people don't pee themselves with excitement when I return home everyday. But dogs, dogs are genuinely so excited to see you after a work day; and are equally genuinely as upset when you leave for the work day. I don't know about you, but no human has ever missed me enough to pee in the driveway upon greeting me.
I started thinking the other day, when I saw a dog trapped inside a hot car (PTL for the police officer who got him out) about all the things my little mutt has taught me, and it didn't take long for me to recognize that the list doesn't really seem to end. She's obnoxious and barks loud, and constantly begs for attention- but she has also without a doubt, made my life more whole. So as I sit here and listen to the news, where it seems a dystopian society isn't all that taboo, I feel a little bit better when my dog lays her head in my lap.
So, I've compiled a list of some of the things my dog has taught me.
1. How to love.
I just don't know if there's a whole lot more to detail on this one. My whole life I was lucky to grow up around dogs, and from a very young age I was always aware of how much my dogs loved my family. All of our pets have been from the shelter or rescued, and we knew that we had a responsibility to give these dogs (and cats) not just a house, or food, but a home- with a family who would love endlessly. And that we did. If you're going to take on the responsibility of pet owning, they become not just an animal--but rather, a part of your family. They shouldn't be there was an accessory to your living room, or stuck in a cage- they should be entertained, played with, loved, and praised...just like a child.
2. Patience
It's not always easy talking a socially excited dog on a neighborhood stroll. She's easily excited and constantly on the hunt trying to chase the smells and follow the squirrels. But it doesn't take long to look a the joy the little things bring her. She's constantly smiling, and prod of herself for running down the birds or following her nose to new territory. She simply never forgets to...
3. Stop and smell the roses. All too often we're all caught up in society's tangled web to really stop and appreciate even the smallest (yet extremely important) aspects of life.
4. Joy is contagious.
Dogs are constantly wagging their tails and jumping on their human companions as the simplest and purest form of joy I have ever experienced. They play their emotions on their sleeve, and always know that those puppy-dog eyes will work every time. Dogs don't have hidden agendas (unless there's a treat involved), and are genuinely HAPPY beings. Being around a dog can easily turn a crummy day right around.
5. Always work for food.
They've nailed the tricks-for-food thing, and I'm willing to bet my work ethic would take a sharp turn up in productivity if my boss gave me food every time I did something right.
6. Never go to bed angry
Every day that I see my dog, I am absolutely attacked with hugs and kisses no matter how long I've been away. When I leave for work in the morning, she mopes around and droops her tail because she's upset she lost her playmate for the day...but upon the family returning home, all of feelings of neglect are completely forgotten.
In short, it's not hard to realize that dogs have a huge impact on our lives. Our society needs to recognize that as silly as it sounds, dogs are people too...they love, they care, they understand. You wouldn't leave your child in a hot car, so don't leave your dog there. You wouldn't leave your child chained up outside all day, so why would you do that to your dog?
So you tell me, who runs the world?
What a lovely post! I have learned so much from my three adopted dogs, and yes, for me they are like children. I find we humans often forget that we are members of the animal kingdom too, and it can be refreshing to re-discover the joys of nature and the simple pleasures that you mention. Also, good work police officer!
ReplyDeleteKelley @ The Whole Hound