Life Lessons Dogs Can Teach Us

Asha died last week. She was my sidekick for 15 years. She was great with the grandbabies. She probably thought she was one. Daily, when I went to the office, she tagged along. When I’d make my rounds, she ran ahead of me, letting the staff know I was coming.
So, losing her was rough. The grief hit me harder than losing my dad. It was losing a piece of myself. I guess only those who have had pets that encouraged them on a daily basis can really understand this feeling.
A movie, My Octopus Teacher, tells the true story of how a diver developed a relationship with an octopus. It sounds absurd, but then you see surprising scenes where the octopus demonstrates human qualities – hugging the guy and showing affection. And it’s moving.
Asha showed me how an animal can sometimes do a better job of loving than humans, proving that “dogs are God’s emissaries from the animal kingdom.” If you struggle loving those who are different than you, I suggest getting a dog.
Asha bonded with me immediately. The picture above is of her as a puppy. She liked to sit up on my shoulders. I became her alpha and her life was centered on her relationship with me.
When I returned from a trip, Asha gave me the kind of greeting that said, “Master, I’ve missed you so much. You know that I’ve been looking out the window for you every day. I knew that it was my job to guard the house and protect the pack in your absence and now that you’re back, we can share that job again.”
Other pets can show affection, but this sense of partnership in doing life together is something that dogs excel at. If you’ve ever had a loyal dog who acted like you were the most important thing in her life, then you know what I’m talking about.
The pack is essential
Asha taught me that belonging is central to a balanced life. The pack is essential. Our family and a few close friends were her pack. She greeted all of them with equal affection.
Frankly, I can be too independent, caught up in a world of ideas and projects. A lot of the problems I’ve had in life can be linked to times when I really didn’t belong to a pack. But Asha taught me how belonging to a pack can be a part of my identity.
Eye contact
Asha communicated her connection with you with her soulful stare. Humans struggle to maintain eye contact, but a dog can look at you without blinking much. Something deep and perhaps spiritual gets transacted with sustained eye contact.
Scientists tell us that babies need extended eye contact to thrive. In an age where we are better at looking at our iphones than at people, we need the example dogs give us.
When we walked together, Asha checked in every 10 seconds or so, looking up at me for her cues. Often I would marvel at this and think, “I need to do that better with God. What if I were to check in with him more regularly like Asha does with me?”
Asha never had bad days. She was always was the happiest one in the room. And she considered it her job to make sure others were happy too. If you were feeling down, she sensed it and ministered to you with her presence, coming over to you and asking to sit on your lap.
Studies show that having a dog is one of the best things you can do for yourself as you get older. Those of you who have had one like Asha, what has your dog taught you?
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So sorry for your loss, Seth. My silky terrier passed away two years ago and I miss her loving, dedicated presence almost everyday. And those eyes looking deeply in mine. You captured it so well. God is so wonderful to have created dogs for us!
Yes. Two years have gone by since your terrier passed and you still miss her. That’s the impact a loving dog can have. Hope you’re well, Anne.
This post is profound. Thanks for always looking deeper. Looking for the Kingdom in the every day.
What a privilege it is to partner with others who are looking for the kingdom every day, Kelly! People like you and Andrew.
I’m sorry for the loss, Seth. I know it leaves a real void.
Layla has taught me about unconditional love. It doesn’t matter if I’m gone 5 hours or 5 days or more, I get the most enthusiastic greeting from her upon my return. She also looks at me the way you described Asha- like she can see deep within me. Such a loving companion! And so much fun!!
What fun to have friends who look at us that way. Layla sounds like an awesome friend. I don’t know how I’ll risk having another dog. I’d always be comparing her to Asha.
Seth, I love how you are honoring her and your mutual love so beautifully. May we all know an Asha in our lives to know a piece of Love Himself on this side of Heaven. Huge hugs as you are blessed and are a blessing in mourning.
Amen, Chris. You loved her so well. Thank you.
Seth, I’m so sorry for your loss! Nothing can replace your precious little dogs presence (present/gift) in your life!! Dogs are better with humans than humans are. I’m sad for you
:(=====
Two short stories:
HOW TO STAY CLOSE TO GOD- Sprocket & Henry, my grand-fur kids we’re constantly under my feet when I was staying with Sarah when I first moved to Texas before I got my own place. I would almost trip over them and step on them all day long. In one of my posts in my devotional, I write about this. I slowly learned (as the light bulb came on in my head), that this Is how we need to be with God!! So close that we are attached to His feet so to speak…. Looking up at Him with joy, love, and holy fear. It just amazes me how many lessons we can learn from dogs. Sprocket has since passed away, something that devastated all of our hearts as he was the sweetest loving dog you could have ever met. Henry, his little buddy, is still alive. Sprocket looked like Toto from Wizard of the Oz!
ANOTHER ONE-
Joyci— another precious dog that is still alive and was my roommate’s dog would come over and jump up in my lap. She would put her paws around my neck and give me a hug. I love this dog and miss her so much. She is still alive but my former roommate moved away.
Love those stories, Sandy. And it reminds me of how Asha would hang onto me with her paws. I’m sorry Joyci moved away. We can kind of adopt dogs that are not our own. I’m hoping my daughter gets one that I can love. I’ve always been a dog-person.
Seth, your reflection here is healing for your bruised soul. l have known you long enough to say that. l love you brother.
HI Seth. I know how you feel. I lost my lab named Billy last year and it was hard, because he and I had that same kind of bond.
We had him for 13 years and he went everywhere with me especially at the Gateway. All of the neighborhood kids would come over and get him to retrieve balls out of the lake. He was trained to do all kinds of neat things that those kids had never seen in a dog before.
I miss him and I haven’t really felt like getting another one yet but I probably will sometime. Blessing and healing in Jesus’ name.
I can just imagine Billy at the Gateway. What a gift he must have been!