_PNG.png)
I remember that sweet moment when an apricot poodle, whom I was told recovered from a car injury and being shot by a BB gun, looked me in the eyes and wagged his tail.
My husband and I were preparing to leave Animal Services in San Diego, when I stopped by the Medical Board. On it were listed animals in medical care, or who were recovering from treatment. I saw his picture, and knew I had to meet the scared animal in it.
I asked the man at the desk if I could see the dog, and he said sure, but that he was pretty sure this dog was hit by a car and couldn’t walk. Apparently, the latter was never the case. Either way, I didn’t care and wanted to see the dog, anyway.
The woman who cleared my adoption explained to me that the dog was found wandering. He had motor oil on his back, and his hind legs appeared to be painful to the touch. He also had a BB lodged in his leg from a BB gun. She said he had been recovering for 10 days, and was a bit shy. Finally, she brought him out to me.
He looked at me with these tender, nervous and hopeful eyes. I said “Hi, doggy,” in a high voice, and he wagged his tail. I pulled him on my lap and he snuggled right in. Before even testing to see if he could walk, I held him tight, looked at my husband, and said “This is our dog,” and my heart went completely warm.
I put the dog on the ground and he walked around, looked up at me, and wagged his pretty tail again. I loved this animal right from the beginning, and he chose me to be his mama.
I ended up naming him Crosby, and since then, we both have grown a lot. I have a deep love for all kinds of animals, and think they are one of the best parts of life. Anyway, here are a few lessons Crosby has taught me about loving life.
Crosby is adaptable (as are many house pets).
When I adopted him from Animal Services, he hadn’t even been there long enough to be named by the staff there. He began answering to Crosby immediately. He was taken from a shelter, to a home for a night, on a 12 hour road trip, and has since gone everywhere I could take him. As a poodle, he has bad separation anxiety, but he is otherwise happy and healthy. I remember when I first called my mom after being married, in a constant bind of stress and tears. She said all of my feelings were valid, because a new marriage, a new job, a new home, and being a college student, are all some of the biggest stressors a person can experience at any given time, let alone all at once.
While my feelings may have been valid, I’m not sure I would have taken being shot at, hit by a car, receiving a new name, and getting to know a whole new family; in the strides that Crosby did.
Simple actions bring Crosby joy.
One of mine and Crosby’s favorite pastimes is laying out in the sun. Sometimes he’s a little too nervous to sit outside by himself, and instead opts to gazing longingly out the open door at the sunshine until I sit out there with him. Other times, I leave the backdoor open and peer out to see him being brave and laying out in the sunshine. I swear, it’s the cutest thing, and it makes a mama proud. He’s obviously a San Diego dude.
Crosby knows what’s good for him.
My mom actually said once that dogs know what’s good for them, in response to me laughing about how giddy they were about going on walks. But, she’s right. The advice to “take a walk” when you’re feeling angry or cloudy in judgment, bears weight. A 20 minute walk a day can change my entire mood. Being out in the sunshine, smelling flowers, sitting in the grass, getting my body to move – all mood boosters. Crosby seems to know that, and it’s why he shakes his butt in excitement every time I dangle his leash in front of his cute face.
(Duh) Crosby is loyal.
Yes, dogs are loyal. It’s still pretty incredible how loyal. Crosby is loyal to the point of jealousy, which I can totally relate to. I always tell people that the way to my dog’s heart is through my cat… the second you love on my cat, Crosby open mouth wines and jumps at you. But, jealousy aside, Crosby has forgiven humans again and again. How often are we loyal, and how often do we forgive those who haven’t been loyal to us? I think we are missing out on a lot of deep connections because of our walls.
Crosby trusts.
Along with being loyal to a fault, dogs trust unconditionally. While this may seem naïve and innocent, I also think people pick up with you throw down. Crosby has obviously been burned a lot. Humans have let him down. However, he has chosen to focus on the humans who have helped him, been kind to him, and loved him. He trusts that the food I give him is not poison and that the new place we are going is safe. He relaxes and falls asleep on me, and a dog sleeping around human is the ultimate display of trust.
Crosby understands what being in a pack truly means.
I think #SquadGoals is actually something dogs originally taught us… Crosby sticks with the pack. We can go on long walks and not have to worry about him wandering off. When Xander and I are sitting in separate rooms, Crosby sits equally apart from both of us. At night, if I can’t sleep and am doing the dishes, or hanging out in the living room, I hear Crosby hop off the bed, click out of the room, and sniff around for me. After sitting with me for some time, he whines softly at me, letting me know he wants to check on Dad, but would prefer if I came with. It’s really comforting to know how much he cares about the entire pack.
Crosby understands that the quietest one in the room is often the wisest one in the room.
This dog hates conflict. On walks, while other dogs are barking at each other (playfully) Crosby whimpers under his breath as if to say “Please, guys, I don’t like contention.” Another time, my husband and I were yelling at each other (life isn’t perfect, don’t act like you’ve never quarreled with a loved one) and Crosby slept on the couch that night. I don’t think he was scared of being hurt by us, (which is reasonable, since he came from an abusive situation) I really think he’s just not down for that kind of negativity. He teaches me that there is no need to raise your voice when not necessary, and that a peaceful, simple life is healthy.
Crosby doesn't sweat the small stuff.
I mean, dogs literally poop in public. They feel shame, somewhat (which many scientists actually don't believe) but they don't really get embarrassed. Crosby is blind in his right eye, and runs into things all the time. He runs directly into fences, with his head in the air, he can be in an open field and find the one tall plant and run into it, he walks off curbs he doesn't realize are there, he tries to go up invisible stairs, I mean... it's straight comedy. But he doesn't get embarrassed. He runs into it, shakes it off, and keeps on sniffin' and walkin'. We could learn a thing or two about laughing it off and remembering that humans do silly things.
Crosby has taught me you can be alone, and happy.
While I do know most of Crosby’s days alone are spent napping or waiting at the door for me to come home; he’s also quite the introvert. My parents have 3 dogs and two cats living in their home. When I visit home, Crosby is happy to be around other dogs. When I leave and come back, though, I always find him alone and in a separate room from the other animals. This little dude really values his alone time. As a very extroverted extrovert, I need to learn this, too. Being alone helps ground you, make sense of your thoughts, and be better about self-care.
When people see me and my dog together, it’s apparent we probably knew each other before this life. He was probably my doggy BFF in Heaven. I’m sure you have felt your dog teach you more lessons than you could imagine. So, spoil that little tail-wagger ‘til the day they die!
Bonus pictures, because I'm a dog mom:
Comments