The Least Expected Teacher

 

This morning I woke up to the usual...a puppy in my face, licking me and letting me know that it was time to start my day. The thing with my little furry guy is that he has these eyes, these little brown eyes that are so innocent. I don't care if it's 5 in the morning, I can't help but smile when he looks at me. The reason I bring him up, Jax is his name, is because it wasn't until I got this little guy that I really started to stop in the middle of what I was doing to just be. Sure, once in a while when something caught my attention, but for the most part, I have always been an on-the-go-always-have-to-be-doing-something type of person. Thank God that has began to change.

Almost 2 years ago, a dear friend went and picked out this little soul, and gave me one of the sweetest gifts I have ever received in my life. Ever since, my life has truly changed. I've watched this little one grow and slowly changed from a mischievous puppy to a mischievous part of my family. He has taught me patience, responsibility, acceptance, and more importantly, he reflects a lot of what is going on with me. I know that when he is "acting up" or running crazy, that something is usually up with me. He reminds me to take a second, and come back to the present moment. He reminds me to take a look at where my feet are at, and make sure I am doing the things that I need to keep my life in balance. I observe how he is, when he's hungry, he eats. When he's tired, he sleeps. When he wants contact with another soul, he snuggles. And when he needs something else, he speaks up! I mean, why can't we all operate like that? Aren't we the "dominant" species? I know for me, I don't always eat when I'm hungry,  get too busy. I don't always speak when something is on my mind, I'm in fear. I don't always ask for a hug when I need one, I'm determined to get through life, some days, on my own. I mean, we talk about how "difficult" life can get, yet most of the time we are not effectively communicating to ourselves or others about what it is we need.

I think it is absolutely fascinating that, from a a 7 pound dog, I have learned more about myself that I did when I was "seeking" to find myself for many years. A dear friend of mine told me when I got him, "Oh great! You are cheating co-dependency!" I thought to myself, aww crap! But then she told me, "No! It's not a bad thing. You are going to learn a lot from him, if you are willing and open to do so." Boy has that come around full effect. All I can say is, thank God for Jax, especially before I have children of my own! He has been the perfect teacher for me, and has softened my heart in so many ways. With one look of those little eyes I can see the Love he has, he speaks a thousand  loving words with his looks. If only I could do the same with each being I come in contact with. If only we all could, what a place this would be.