Animals as Teachers

Animals As Teachers
by Marie T. Russell

http://innerself.com/Reflections/animals07033.htm

Life surrounds us with teachers, if we are but willing to learn. Actually,
everyone and everything in our life is our teacher -- they teach by
example of something we'd like to attain or something we'd like to
abandon.

One of my greatest teachers these days is my dog, Angel. He appeared on
our doorstep a year ago -- a tiny wet black bundle of fur. It had been
raining all week and he was huddled by the doorstep trying to stay dry and
get warm. I brought him in and put a sign up on the street to let his
human family know he had been found. No one claimed him -- which was just
as well since after a few hours I was definitely in love.

Part lab and part chow he was cute, affectionate, and a joy to have
around. He was named Angel since I felt he had been brought to my doorstep
by angels to serve as my teacher, my friend, my playmate, and my guardian
angel.

In the year that he's been with us he has taught me many things. He
reminds me to take time to play, to go out in the fresh air and walk (or
in his case, run like the wind). He demonstrates exuberance for life, he
has a great capacity for joy, for excitement, for pleasure. He reminds me
when I've been working too many hours in a row that it's time to take a
break. He shows me by example that one must drink a lot -- and I mean a
lot -- of water. He eats only when hungry, a few mouthfuls at a time and
then goes on to something else. He gets so excited, and I mean so excited,
when something wonderful is coming his way. Even the routine of a morning
walk gets him so excited he jumps for joy. He's given new meaning to that
expression -- he jumps, twirls, and is so excited to go for a morning walk
-- while I, am barely awake, and going for a walk not only because I
"should" but because I "have to" take the dog out… What a difference in
attitude. He jumps excitely -- I drag my feet…

He has demonstrated to me, day after day, the importance of loving life
and living life to the fullest. When we go out on the paths -- me to walk,
him to run -- to watch him run back and forth is such a pleasure to see as
he puts "his all" into it. He runs for the pure joy of it -- not because
he needs the exercise, or because his doctor told him he "should". He runs
for the pleasure of running, for the sense of freedom, and the sense of
adrenaline that fills his body. He runs to discover new trails, and he
runs with abandon on the old trails as well. He doesn't care whether it's
the same old same old, he's excited to be alive and enjoying "being".

And he knows how to ask for love and how to accept it. When he rolls over
to be petted, he simply lays there and enjoys. He accepts the love in the
moment and then doesn't hesitate to come back and ask for more whenever he
wants more love and attention. Many times when I'm working, he'll walk up
beside me and stand quietly. If I'm busy and don't notice him, he'll
simply walk away -- talk about respecting someone else's space. At other
times, he'll bring in his toys one at a time -- and when I've broken my
concentration on what I'm doing, I'll notice that I'm surrounded by his
toys… a silent invitation to come and play. He reminds me that there is
always time to play -- and the opportunities are always there. He reminds
me that I need to take short play breaks during the day -- just to get up
and stretch (he always stretches when he gets up), to go say hello to the
person in the next room, to take a drink of water, or just to say "hey,
I'm here if you need me".

What a teacher! He has reminded me of the importance of taking time -- for
myself, to play, to laugh, to go out into nature and enjoy the moment. He
has reminded me of the importance of being loyal to friends, curious and
interested in strangers, and always willing to explore new territories and
adventures.

He reminds me to greet each day with a wagging tail (or a smile in my
case), to always be happy to see family and friends, to get excited about
going for a walk, about seeing a rabbit or a cat -- to be so delighted
(and to show it exuberantly) when a friend comes to visit, to enjoy life
to the fullest, and yet also know when and how to rest and relax to the
fullest.

Angel Dog (his full name) is only a year and a month old (approximately)
and he is one of the best teachers I've ever had. Since he's been in my
life, I've rediscovered the beauty of a free spirit. I now laugh a lot
more. I take more time for me (and for him). I take time to play, to go
out in nature, to remember to take short play breaks and short naps. He
reminds me to stop and smell the flowers, to always be interested in
exploring life, to start each day excited about going "out into the world"
and checking it all out, once again.

Whether you have a dog as a teacher or not, there are many other
opportunities to learn all these lessons -- perhaps you have children who
are great master teachers. They also are willing and able to demonstrate
all these lessons on how to live in the moment and to enjoy life no matter
what -- rain or shine.

RECOMMENDED BOOK:

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul by Jack Canfield (Editor), et al.
(Stories About Pets As Teachers, Healers, Heroes, and Friends)

Info/Order this book.

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About The Author

Marie T. Russell is the publisher of InnerSelf Magazine and The Natural
Yellow Pages. She produced a weekly South Florida radio broadcast, Inner
Power, from 1992-1995 which focused on themes such as self-esteem,
personal growth, and well-being. Her articles focus on transformation and
reconnecting with our own inner source of joy and creativity. Marie can be
reached at marie@innerself.com with personal comments and feedback, or to
be placed on a mailing list to be advised when her book becomes available.