There's just something special about dogs that makes living life better. As a dog lover, I can't imagine a world without them. They effortlessly bring a smile to our faces the moment we lay our eyes on them, and joy and laughter to our hearts-whenever we see them being their goofy and carefree selves.
Gifts From Above
How many of us count it a blessing to go to bed, feeling the warmth of their rumps near our bodies when we lay our heads down to sleep and being awakened by the licks of a furry face in the morning? They are always there for us when we need them, so in tune with us, ready to comfort and cheer us up, always being that listening ear for us when no one else is around.
Ancient Helpers
Dogs have walked side by side with humans for thousands of years, getting to know each other, working together for survival, and enjoying the fellowship of one another. Throughout the ages, dogs have helped preserve and prosper the human race by hunting for food, herding and protecting livestock, and much more. Dogs have also benefitted from their connection with man, and this ancient relationship continues to this day.
Think about all the ways dogs help us live life today as service and therapy dogs. How they help those with physical and mental disabilities and limitations, like helping blind people traverse through city streets. Or how they help children trap in fear gain the confidence to face and conquer daunting challenges without a word spoken, like when appearing before a court to give testimony, or to become better at reading in public. How about how they can find lost people and help bring families closure in some cases. It's truly amazing!
Modern Adventurers
These days dogs don't only help people work; they accompany people in modern-day hikes and expeditions just for the fun and thrill. You can jump online, find out the top ten adventurous dogs, or look on youtube and find loads of videos to see dogs surfing, skateboarding, or even hang gliding! Dogs love to be with us; they want to enjoy life and the world with us! As they say, we really don't deserve them.
They Deserve Our Leadership
No, we really don't deserve them. But what they do deserve is our leadership. Because they were given to us as gifts from above that truly enrich and bless our lives with companionship, service, love, affection, and even healing therapy. We owe them the honor of loving leadership.
We should seek to understand our dogs to become better pet parents and pack leaders. Our dogs aren't the only ones in need of training; if we want them to change, we need to be willing to change and get dog psychology training to create healthy, balanced, and harmonious bonds and relationships with our pets. We have to shift our mindsets from being mostly affection based unto a leadership based lifestyle. In doing so, we won't just be fulfilling our own emotional needs; we will be fulfilling all the physical, emotional, and, more importantly, the instinctual needs of our fur babies. This is how we honor and give back to our dogs for the blessed role they play in our lives.
So whether it's just going to the beach to catch some waves with your pooch, hiking up a mountain, or snowboarding with your furry best friend, get out there and experience the world with your pet, and enjoy the adventure of life with your dog today. Because it truly is better to do life with them!
~ Joseph Ojeda, The Pet Pastor