Thinking about others isn’t necessarily in our nature. At least human nature. Being selfless–thinking of the other guy first–actually appears elsewhere in nature first. I learned firsthand about selflessness, kindness and unconditional love from the best source.
My dog, Lilly.
In her short 6 years and from all of her 12 pounds, this Maltese-Poodle mix only knew one path: to think of those around her first. Even when she was on her last legs from a spine injury, she found time to comfort me in my grief of inevitably losing her. It what was her mark throughout her life.
Daily she would come to me and literally climb on my chest and kiss me. At the end of our day, she would always crawl under the covers after she had wished me a good night’s sleep. On walks she would yield to Harry, my Cairn Terrier, as he was larger and stronger and the alpha dog in our tribe. Lilly was the heart and conscious to my brains and Harry’s brawn. Together we made a whole team–a furry family.
That selflessness, that yielding to Harry and me at meals, on walks, in the car, set up situations that allowed us to get things done. She wanted us to be happy, usually at her expense.
We can take a lesson from this miniature titan of kindness. Don’t always feel you must be the lead dog. Maybe the “lead dog” watches and the treats eventually come your way.
Yes, I am trying to disguise a tribute to my loving, late dog. But she meant a lot to me and changed my life. Lilly was the only woman in my life to ever love me back and for that she will always be remembered and loved for the rest of my life here on this Earth. I look forward to the day I meet her at the Rainbow Bridge. Her blind left eye will be healed as will her non-working back legs. But I’ll know her by her bark and “singing.” She touched me like no human ever has or ever will. Love you, Lil-Lil.
We should all learn from you on how to treat those around us.
Relentless
