Ruby is a six month old mixed breed pound puppy who has been my teacher for the past four months. She is one of the happiest creatures I have ever known. Here are some of her tidbits of wisdom:
- Appreciate everything and everyone for who and what they are. Ruby loves the rain, the sun, trees, food, her cat, her dog, her people, an old sock, the wood stove, playing in water, sticks, empty water bottles. She does not criticize or find fault with what is, and since she is happy with what she's got she doesn't need to spend her time wanting more.
- Don't limit your relationships because of gender, race or species. Ruby's best friend is Bob, a rescue cat. They play together, take naps curled up with each other, walk together (even in the rain), wrestle, hunt, wash each other's faces and seek each other out whenever they can. Sometimes a relationship with someone who is totally different from you can bring surprising joy.
- Life is really interesting. Pay attention to what is in front of you. Look and listen, smell and touch. Greet each day with enthusiasm and a smile because something really good might happen.
- Ask for what you want. A woof, a knock on the door, an exposed belly, a loving gaze invites more of what you want into your life. And if you don't get it right away, be persistent.
- Welcome new challenges and go at your own pace. Ruby is learning to climb a spiral staircase and every few days she adds one more step to her climb, looks around from the new height and comes back down, satisfied with her accomplishment for the day.
- Exercise regularly. Stretch when you first wake up, and give a big yawn to loosen your jaw muscles. When you get tired, take a nap.
- Allow others to take care of you when you need help and help others when you can. Having short little puppy legs, Ruby needs a lift in and out of the car, so she waits patiently for assistance with a wagging tail. When Trent, her adopted brother, got his collar entangled with a garden stake and couldn't get free, Ruby ran to the back door and barked a distress call until someone came to help him. She understands the concept of community and shared efforts.
- Play is important. Be creative on your own and invite others to join in the romp. Ruby's favorite game is 'Who's Got The Pink', a tag and chase game with her friends, but she also likes to nose a ball around the floor on her own and can spend hours chasing and chewing on an empty plastic water jug until it achieves the desired shape and sound.
- Live in the present moment with gratitude. No judgement or resentments or grudges are necessary; forgive everything. And enjoy your day.
- Appreciate everything and everyone for who and what they are. Ruby loves the rain, the sun, trees, food, her cat, her dog, her people, an old sock, the wood stove, playing in water, sticks, empty water bottles. She does not criticize or find fault with what is, and since she is happy with what she's got she doesn't need to spend her time wanting more.
- Don't limit your relationships because of gender, race or species. Ruby's best friend is Bob, a rescue cat. They play together, take naps curled up with each other, walk together (even in the rain), wrestle, hunt, wash each other's faces and seek each other out whenever they can. Sometimes a relationship with someone who is totally different from you can bring surprising joy.
- Life is really interesting. Pay attention to what is in front of you. Look and listen, smell and touch. Greet each day with enthusiasm and a smile because something really good might happen.
- Ask for what you want. A woof, a knock on the door, an exposed belly, a loving gaze invites more of what you want into your life. And if you don't get it right away, be persistent.
- Welcome new challenges and go at your own pace. Ruby is learning to climb a spiral staircase and every few days she adds one more step to her climb, looks around from the new height and comes back down, satisfied with her accomplishment for the day.
- Exercise regularly. Stretch when you first wake up, and give a big yawn to loosen your jaw muscles. When you get tired, take a nap.
- Allow others to take care of you when you need help and help others when you can. Having short little puppy legs, Ruby needs a lift in and out of the car, so she waits patiently for assistance with a wagging tail. When Trent, her adopted brother, got his collar entangled with a garden stake and couldn't get free, Ruby ran to the back door and barked a distress call until someone came to help him. She understands the concept of community and shared efforts.
- Play is important. Be creative on your own and invite others to join in the romp. Ruby's favorite game is 'Who's Got The Pink', a tag and chase game with her friends, but she also likes to nose a ball around the floor on her own and can spend hours chasing and chewing on an empty plastic water jug until it achieves the desired shape and sound.
- Live in the present moment with gratitude. No judgement or resentments or grudges are necessary; forgive everything. And enjoy your day.
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