Lessons I have learned from my dogs.

I have taught my dogs many commands - sit, stay, wait, no, down, no jumping, come, are just a few. They even know hand signals, and I am pleased with them and myself. But upon reflection they are truly the teachers, and indeed they teach me many things everyday.

Emma teaches me the importance of patience and kindness. She reminds me everyday how important these virtues are to family harmony. She never gets angry when Ben pushes his way through to get the first dog biscuit or to be the first to get his dinner, or whatever it is that is happening. It is as if she reminds herself that he is a baby and over-eager and rowdy, and that by letting him go first, doesn't mean she is going to miss out on anything. I remember this when I go about my daily errands. I no longer get angry when someone pulls out in front of me in their car, perhaps they are still young and over-eager, and besides, I always get where I'm going and never miss out anything. I think more about small kindnesses now - like letting someone go in front of me at the grocery store. I just think of her and how her patience and kindness create such harmony, and this is a good thing to have in life.

Katie teaches me to get out and enjoy life. She is so full of energy, so full of life. She is always the one who wants to go for a swim, a walk, a ride in the car, to be doing something. So when I feel bored or unhappy, I think of her and the joy and fun that can be had in simple things like going for a walk, or a ride in the car. I try to see these things through her eyes and realize that there is so much in life to do, and that sometimes all it takes to make simple, mundane things fun is enthusiasm, and a sense of fun, to put energy in to whatever I am doing.

Ben teaches me to laugh. He is truly our comic. He is always happy and full of fun and mischief. He reminds me almost hourly that humor is good, and that laughter makes you feel good. When I feel down, I think of him and I remember to laugh and not take life so seriously.

Sit, stay, come, down - they just don't seem so important as the lessons my dogs teach me. I feel lucky to share my life and home with them.

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