Will Rogers said, 

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went.”

Welcome to The Soul Podcast, I’m Stacey Wheeler. 

There are “dog people” and people who say they are not. As a dog person, I’ve always put the ‘I’m not a dog person’ people into one of two categories in my mind. Either:

1.       They had a very bad first experience with a dog as a child -or-

2.       They never owned a dog, so never got to experience the magic of a dog’s love.

I don’t remember a single time in my childhood when I didn’t desire a dog. Every puppy I saw made me squeal with delight. Even now, as a grandfather, when there are puppies near, I’ll lay on the ground and let them attack me. And ya know, they always go for the face. Try that some time when you’re depressed. It’s impossible not to laugh like crazy. 

If I get depressed, don’t bring me meds, bring me puppies!

When I was a boy, our neighbors moved and were planning to “get rid” of their dog, Toby.  My brothers and I loved that dog. And I don’t know how we did it but somehow, we convinced my mother to let us keep him. He was with us for eight years before he jumped the rainbow bridge and went to the place dog souls go. And those eight years were full of beautiful memories made with my four legged buddy. 

My brothers and I are all grown up with grown children, but none of us can look at a picture of that dog without telling loving stores of moments with him. Toby was sweet and fun-loving and always down for an adventure. He was a magical animal. So, at a young age, I realized dogs were special. But I didn’t put much thought into why I loved dogs so much. I just knew I did. 

We learn so much from our four-legged best friends. And though they lick their own butts, they are wise beyond us in many ways. 

Twelve years ago, a stray found me at an animal shelter near Reno. She had been wandering around the sagebrush of Washoe Valley and brought in. We found each other. She was a floppy-eared Beagle-Basset Hound mix, with a contagious level of happiness. I named her Skittles. And the adventures we’ve had.

This week, I said goodbye to my furry companion. In those 12, wonderful years I learned so many beautiful lessons from her; lessons that would help anyone be a better person… or an excellent dog. So, in her memory I share a few of those lessons with you. 

Lesson 1.

Sniff The Hand – Don’t presume anyone will be unkind or unlikable. When you are sweet, and slightly vulnerable, most everyone will be sweet in return. Assume the best and wait. When you make the first move, when you check them out, when you’re a little vulnerable… you make a lot of new friends. My dog was so sweet, when I took her out somewhere I usually made new friends -who she introduced me to through her outgoing nature. Kindness and a happy nature go a long way. And it begins with a touch of vulnerability. 

Lesson 2.

Appreciate the Little Things – Skittles taught me how not to take things for granted. We’re blessed to live in an abundant time. It’s easy to forget how great it is. Skittles showed me a new way to look at everyday things. One day I picked up a pizza on the way out of town for a weekend camp trip to the woods. Just me and Skittles. We arrived at the spot, and I hung my hammock then broke out the pizza. She gave me the Basset Hound eyes and I folded. She LOVED pizza and this one was a combination… so there were lots of different toppings. I got in the habit of giving her toppings instead of crust – healthier. Each time I’d pluck something off the top and place it in front of her she became more joyous. She lost her mind when there was pizza around. She’d wag and smile (yeah, Skittles smiled when she was super happy). She always did this when I gave her pizza toppings. But that day, in the serenity of the forest, I was present. I saw her glee more deeply that day. I had a realization. The pizza I held in my had was a miracle of the modern world. The ingredients were from all over the globe. Wheat from the Midwest, olives from Italy, salami and peperoni from who knows where, tomatoes, sauce artichoke hearts… Food had traveled thousands of miles to land in this combination on my plate. And I realized this easy-to-get food combination has been an option to the masses for less than the length of one human lifetime. I held in my hand a gift – bestowed on me by the luck of the time I was born. 

And Skittles helped me see that. I started to appreciate the little things more that day.  Life is full of great stuff when we stop to appreciate -even- the things in arm’s reach. 

Lesson 3. 

Explore – We live in a world full of mysteries and new experiences. Everything is Interesting. And everything can be exciting when we allow ourselves to explore our world and all the cool stuff it has on offer. Skittles followed her nose everywhere. When we went on a walk, there were times I intentionally let her lead. After all the walk was as much for her as me. And she often chose trails I wasn’t familiar with. I discovered cool places I’d never seen – and all because I followed her example and I explored.  

There are endless adventures when we get a little out of our comfort zone, and huge adventures when we get even further from the familiar. Even simply trying something different off the menu can be a small adventure, when we are present and allow ourselves to enjoy the different experience. We never know what we will find when we explore. And if we never explore, we will never know what we missed, because we will have deprived ourselves of the possibility of it.  Follow your nose. Explore! 

Lesson 4. 

Be Present – I took Skittles with me anywhere she was permitted -and probably a few where she wasn’t. On a road trip we saw the Grand Canyon and Death Valley. We saw battle fields of the Civil War. We sat at a cannon emplacement that remained. She looked out over the peaceful river there. She was serene and content, as she often was… and I followed her eyes to a pair of bald eagles flying. Silent moments with my dog were a gift and a reminder. 

As I was attaching meaning to the locations we were visiting, she sat silently enjoying every nuance of the moment… enjoying being there with her person. She taught me that no matter where you are or what is going on, any seat is a good seat. When you are in the moment and watch the world, it shows you wonderful things. Exploring is good but being still and enjoying the world as it is in the moment… is priceless. In these moments, we notice things we usually miss. We find comfort with our own company. Skittles sat and watched the world with quiet contentment. It was magical. I don’t know what Skittles called this in her mind. People call it meditation. 

Sometimes all it takes to ground ourselves is to sit in the presence of a dog in nature and just… be there.

Lesson 5.  

Happiness is contagious!
Wherever we went, Skittles entered with a wag and a happy spirit. Her happy nature was infectious. People’s voices would actually go up a few octaves when she was around. She was happy and she made people happy and those people’s happiness rubbed off on others. Skittles’ natural way of being embodied an idea from Gautama Buddha,  

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” 

Many dogs don’t need to be shown these lessons. Most of them are the lessons in action. Perhaps I was  lucky, or blessed… but my dog was wise. Truly wise. I learned endless lessons on life from her. And I hope to repay her loving teaching by being more like her each day. My life will forever be divided into two sections; the time before I knew her, and after she came into my life. 

Be the dog today. Be vulnerable, appreciate the little things, explore, be present, and share your happiness. Wag more, bark less.