Dog-gone life lessons

I am a dog person.

Some people love cats; I love dogs.

Do you know that the great Winston Churchill of England didn’t have dogs or cats as pets, but he raised pigs? A reporter once asked him, “Mr. Churchill, some people have dogs and some people prefer cats, but why do you raise pigs for pets instead?” And the wily and witty statesman replied, “Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us and only pigs treat us as equals.”

My dogs of preference are Siberian Huskies, but they are quite difficult to maintain. Right now I have three Chowchows inside my house. Outside my house, Sammy, my brother-in-law, used to have a fierce, mean-looking Rottweiler suffering from an identity crisis. This Rottweiler thought she is a Labrador. Have you ever seen a fierce, mean-looking Rottweiler wiggling its tail and wagging its tongue like a love-crazed Labrador? Even dogs have problems. Friendly Rottweiler is no longer with us today, as she has been replaced by a German Shepherd.

I’m not a doctor so I am not sure whether the following statement is true or not. But I heard somebody saying that constant stress and anxiety leads to defective eyesight and tooth decay. Constant stress and anxiety blurs the vision and cause dryness of the mouth, leading to tooth decay. Maybe this is the reason you don’t see dogs wearing eyeglasses and dentures, because they seem to know how to deal with stress.

But even this thought is now being refuted.

I brought my dogs to the vet some time ago, and the animal physician told us that even dogs succumb to depression. When they are mishandled, ignored or left unloved. So we need to treat them well.

One thing I know though is that, the moment I get home,  the dogs are there to welcome me and no matter how tired I am, when I see how excited they are to see me with their tails wiggling and all that, somehow they make me feel relaxed.

I think there are a lot of lessons we can learn from dogs if they were to be our teachers.

Here is a list of some:

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

• Let fresh air and wind in your face be pure ecstasy.

• When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.

• Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.

• Take naps.

• Stretch upon rising.

• Run, romp, and play daily.

• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

• When you’re happy, dance around and wiggle your entire body.

• No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing or pout...run right back and make friends.

• Delight in the simple joy of a good walk.

• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

• Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you’re not.

• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close and nuzzle them gently.

Dogs are faithful friends. They aren’t so concerned with how much money you’re making or how much you have accomplished in life.

I have met many people who have not been faithful. When you have something of use to them, they are good to you. But the moment you need them, they drop you like a hot potato.

Learn the value of faithfulness.

Do not abuse a person’s friendship.

Love God and love your neighbor as you do yourself. Even if the world is going to the dogs, you don’t. 

(Click on to www.franciskong.com to send me your feedback. You can also listen to my radio program “Business Matters” aired 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. during weekdays, over 98.7 dzFE-FM ‘The Master’s Touch’, the classical music station.)