Everything I Know About Life… I (Re)learned from My Puppy

People close to me… ok, my husband and my daughter specifically… told me I should get a dog.

“You love dogs… you’ll really enjoy having a the unconditional love…. they’re so much fun!” They said it to me often enough and I finally relented and here she is. Her name is Gildie (means ‘celebration’ in Icelandic) and she’s an Australian Terrier.

I call her a terrior’ist’ because she attacks the world with a quiet ferocity. She doesn’t bark a lot… she just waits until the time is right… sizes up her opponent..(right now that’s often a two liter soda bottle rolling around on the kitchen floor) and then in she goes for fun and exercise.

I’m exhausted from all the up and down and in and out. It’s a relentless schedule of training, positive reinforcement and the occasional distraction/accident/discipline.

I can see why my family wanted me to have a little companion. She reminds me of the basics of life…

— Don’t sweat the small stuff.. and it’s all small stuff

— Be here now. Wherever Gildie is… that’s where life is best. Be in the moment

— Love is the answer

— Curiosity is a wonderful thing

— Remember to play, rest and make friends

There will likely be more updates from the puppy front. In the meantime.. what does your pet teach you? I’d love to hear.