A dog's life!

Dr Doolittle was on to a good thing. The ability to talk to the animals is far more useful than talking to a great deal of humans. Like it or not – we aren’t exactly the smartest species on earth. We are by far the greediest, but wisest – I think not. I can’t communicate to animals like Doolittle, but just as in the movie Marley and Me – at every juncture in my life – there has been an animal beside me and I have had a better life because of it.

1) The heart is mighty
My mother’s constant companions during my childhood were called Four Star Silver Rose and Pedro. Silver and Pedro were Chihuahuas and came to us as a pair. Chihuahuas are one of the smallest dogs, with big bulging eyes on tiny little heads and are pretty vocal too. I would call it a bark but that would mean it sounded like one – instead, the noise they actually make is more like a yap;-)! Pedro and Silver were hard out watchdogs for a tiny pair of dogs! Nothing (including ankles) came within metres of our place without Pedro and Silver alerting the family. Basically, anyone outside of the family was the enemy!

Even though their bodies were tiny – it housed the mightiest of hearts.

2) Love is not just a human emotion
When Silver died after having a massive stroke, Pedro was never the same. His partner in life was gone and his loss was evident. I don’t care what psychologists say about projecting human feeling on to animals – from these tiny Chihuahuas I learnt that love for each other is not limited to humans. Those dogs loved their master and they also loved each other. Pedro died within months of his mate.

3) Adversity is for getting over
The next lesson I learnt from my whangai (adopted) dog who turned up one day and then never really left.

He was a beautiful strong black Labrador called Blackie who had belonged to the neighbour’s neighbour. During the transition between our houses, he was in a terrible accident
that caused his front leg to be amputated. I needed not worry about Blackie, because this dog overcame adversity to live a life that included all the wonderful things a dog would. He never gave up and was a good dog and much loved.

4) You are not your past

We came home from the beach one day – and there was our next pet. A little black cat with white feet and a white bib who we called Whisper. She was born and had lived outside, which made her wild. This meant that it was hard for her to enjoy some of the perks of being a pet, like being held, being stroked gently, and to sleep and live inside. I learnt from her that despite your upbringing or the past, you can overcome it because Whisper eventually learnt that she had a home, she was not going to be hurt, that she was going to be fed - and ultimately let us hold her, kiss and rub her - and even slept with us! Whisper moved with us four times, and never left.

5) Unconditional love comes in all sizes
Simba was the product of some hanky-panky business between her pedigree Bichon Friese mother and the Fox Terrier up the road. Originally for my mother to replace Pedro and Silver, it soon became evident who was the chosen master – ME! Simba came to me

before the boys….but will not be here for much longer. She is currently coping with old age, and the gradual loss of sight and hearing – yet she remains the first to greet me, the first to look for me when I am gone and she lightens my life for it. Despite her own afflictions – I am still the most important person to her – and like all animals – they have much to teach us about unconditional love.

Have a great week - love the ones around you.

Yours in friendship,

Mxox