Six years ago, a fifteen pound ball of fur entered my life and changed it for the better. My husband had been after me to get a dog for several years. I had not grown up with pets and was reluctant to take on all the work that can come with having a canine companion. As luck would have it, the neighbor of some family friends bred their golden retrievers, and Sadie was part of the resulting litter. One look at her and my heart was gone. Since that time, my husband and I have taken her on well over 3,000 walks, and in that time I've reconnected with old dreams and observed a lot about human behavior. Here are a few lessons I've learned (or re-learned) during our walks (paired with a favorite quote):
1. People are too busy and too distracted. We live in a residential neighborhood, but busy streets aren't far from our house. I've nearly been hit by a car on our walks no fewer than three times. The first was by a man who was talking on his cell phone and didn't see us standing in the middle of an intersection. He stopped after I screamed, and when he saw me, his face turned ghost white. The impact of what almost happened hit him very profoundly. The second near- miss happened a block from our house. It was dusk and a woman left the four-way stop as we were standing in the middle of the intersection. She stopped briefly then drove off. Lastly, I was crossing a busy street, with the cross walk sign on, and a young man turned right, blowing through the red light he was required to obey. Purposeful busyness is good; distracted busyness is dangerous. "For fast-acting relief, try slowing down." Lily Tomlin
2. People are really nice. Dogs naturally want to meet each other, so they are little magnets of social connection. I've gotten to know our neighbors because of Sadie, and I've met people throughout the extended neighborhood on our walks. It's always welcoming to meet another kind soul at 6:30am who doesn't care that your hair is messy and you're not wearing make-up. "Be yourself. Everyone else is taken." Oscar Wilde
3. Be kind - everyone you meet is carrying a burden. Several years ago, I was walking down a road with Sadie when a woman made a beeline toward us. I could tell she had been crying, and I was a little on edge as she approached. She asked if she could pet Sadie, and I said, "Of course." The tears started to flow as she told me how she had to put down her beloved dog the day before. Seeing Sadie helped to give her a little comfort. "You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you." John Wooden
4. It's good to lean on a friend. Toward the end of my law career, I was suffering from frequent panic attacks and awful digestive issues as burnout set in. Worrying that high-impact workouts would trigger a panic attack, I chose to exercise with Sadie. I felt safe walking with her, and the exercise made me feel better. Numerous studies reveal that those who have a network of supportive relationships are happier and healthier. "It's the not the load that breaks you down. It's the way you carry it." Lena Horne
5. Try something new. While Roy Baumeister's research shows that creating habits helps us to conserve our willpower reserves, every now and again life needs some shaking up so as not to get stale. We often try new walking routes and different dog parks. It gives me a chance to meet new people and see new scenery. "The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." Joseph Campbell
6. Ignore the loudly barking dog. When I was in law school, there were one or two people in class who liked to answer question after question as a way of showing the class they were smart. Often, these were the people who got the worst grades because they spent more time trying to intimidate rather than study. Sadie and I always notice the loudly barking dogs, but we often turn our heads and keep walking. "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great." Mark Twain
Clearly, Sadie has had a profound effect on my life, but not everyone learns (or re-learns) life lessons through a pet. How have you been reminded of life's lessons? As for me, I'm off for another walk.
