I wish my dog was like that.

 

I wish my dog was like that.

A dog walks calmly down the sidewalk as you are grabbing a coffee on your way to work. You think, "I wish I could do that..." knowing your pup jumps and pulls in every direction any time the lead is on.

Two dogs are playing happily at the dog park. You wish your dog could feel that comfortable around other dogs... Your dog freaks out when they see another dog! You can barely maintain control of them!

While out for a sniffy walk you see a Pawrent and their dog off lead playing Frisbee in the park. There are many distractions going on but their engagement is amazing! You wish you could have that level of communication. You can't trust your little monster off-lead!

Snapshots in time, like the ones above, do not provide us with enough information.

That Pawrent who walked calmly down the road got home and tried to relax after a long day at work...and a walk. As they sit on the couch their dog jumps all over them, pawing at their body and tugging at their sleeves, ripping their shirt.

The two happy-go-lucky dogs at the dog park have since left. We missed their walk back to their vehicles. The pups were pulling all over the place! Jumping at each other, biting at the leads, and barking at everything that moved or made a sound! It was a rough process getting them back home.

The Frisbee team packed up and had a relaxing evening at home. Unfortunately, the next day, the Pawrent forgot to put their shoes away. It was the first time they forgot in MONTHS. They came home from work to find their shoes shredded into flaps of leather.

Every individual is unique. Every individual has had their own experiences, both good and bad. We all have our strengths, we all have our weaknesses.

Don't take what you see in moments as a comparison of how you are doing in your life. Look at what's in front of you. What DO you have? What CAN you do to get closer to where you want to be?

Dogs, or any living organism, are not robots, and we shouldn't expect them to be. They should be treated like anything else you love. With compassion, kindness, and respect.

“Be a friend. Not an owner.”