Life Lessons from "Dog"

"Dog is God spelled backwards."

Uhhh... duhhh... could I have the last few seconds of my life back please? Oh well, OK! Lets give that idea some thought. Is it mere coincidence, or could something more be lurking inside this simple idea? 

Its not like the word God spelled backwards is popcorn or airplane or something, it is "dog". Dog is Man's best friend, best companion, most trusted confidant. "Dog" always has time to listen, is always happy to see you, and never holds a grudge. What quality does a "dog" have that one could associate with the notion of the word "God", a concept which has been loved and fought over for centuries? 

Lets put all religious preferences aside, Catholic, Jewish, Hindi, Agnostic, Atheist and everything in between... no matter what you believe in, whatever. Is there one element that exists at the core of a truly happy life?

My guess is that the answer lies in the dominant personality trait associated with "dog". Love, unconditional love. Every minute of our life we have a choice to respond to ourselves, others or a situation with love... or not. It's not really possible to be angry and feel full of love at the same time, is it? Is it possible to act with love and be jealous or spiteful at the same time? Love, unconditional love is what lies at the core of a happy life. 

So I am going to try remember this next time I get impatient with myself or someone else, next time I am filled with road rage or angry at my son for dumping his chocolate milk all over the front seat of the car. I will try to take a deep breath and heal the negative vibe with a little good old fashioned "love".

When a dog offers you his heart 

Accept it with a smile 

For his love will last a lifetime - 

Which is such a little while. 

When a dog offers you his heart 

Take it gladly and with pride 

For he will be a faithful friend 

Ever by your side. 

A dog loves you because you're you - 

Not for how you speak or what job you do 

You could be short, tall, thin or fat 

Or ugly as sin, he doesn't care about that. 

A dog knows if you're good or bad 

He can see inside your soul 

When he decides you're okay 

To earn your love is his main goal. 

When you're sad, he'll comfort you 

And kiss away each tear 

You may even wake up in the morning 

With a cold nose in your ear. 

When eventually the time comes 

And the lights in his eyes dim 

A new star will shine in Heaven 

In remembrance of him. 

You'll gaze up at the midnight sky 

And you will hear him say - 

"I'm so glad you were my human 

We'll meet again some day!" 

So, if this poem has caused a tear to fall 

That's because you love the dog who's giving you his all 

Go travel on together, happily paw in glove 

He's the only one who'll ever give you unconditional love. 

When a dog offers you his heart 

Accept it with a smile 

For his love will last a lifetime - 

Which is such a little while. 

By Hazel Harris-Lane

Love, Liza