Being more like Cuddles

I have been pondering this idea for some time . . . the lessons that Cuddles, my special, sometimes too loving and annoying Shih Tzu, has taught me. I found Cuddles over 11 years ago, shortly after my mother passed away, I felt this strong desire to have a pet, a being I could take care of, and at the same time help my children learn how to take care of another being, and I guess, also fill that new void that I found in my life without my mother. So, once I said yes, my late husband started the search for a hypoallergenic (my kids and I have allergies), small dog, and since then he has been an integral part of our lives. I often joke that he is my third child, and my late husband and I have even been accused of taking better care of him than our own children (Definitely not true, but you can imagine that a jaded teenager may think so.) The point is, is that this little ten pounder has taught us many things while he has shared his journey with us. I would like to focus on the three biggies: patience, loyalty, and unconditional love.

Though I grew up having many pets, I never had a dog, well, I am told we briefly had a dog when I was a baby, so I have no recollection of said dog. Anyway, we had cats and bunnies, and I had a bird, hamsters, and fish, but never a dog, so this was my first adventure in being a dog mom. From the get go I learned that I would have to be patient with myself and Cuddles, as well as other family members in caring for Cuddles. From day one he whined, and I didn’t know what he needed, he pooped and peed on the carpet, even though he was “potty-trained”. It was like being a new mother again, we could not use our words to communicate, so we had to feel each other out, learn each other. 11 years later he is still teaching us, sometimes I wonder what he must think of his humans, why haven’t they learned yet? Yet, he is patient, and persistent. So, instead of thinking “Why haven’t they figured this out yet?”, let’s think, "How can I better listen to, serve, or understand this being?” “How can I be more patient and persistent in my relationship with this being?” Questions to ponder . . .

Cuddles is my protector, I suppose because I chose him and held him first and tried to understand him, he “loves me the most”, as I like to put it. He is utterly devoted to me, and I to him. Sometimes others get upset with him, but I guess we get each other, so we rarely get upset with each other, and if we do, we can still be assured of the others faithfulness, and we quickly forgive each other. When my late husband passed away, Cuddles spent three days grieving. He laid on Daddy’s side of the bed, or under the bed on Daddy’s side, and howled at times, or just silently grieved . He has been loyal even in death. Dogs are intensely loyal, which has been a different experience for me as a first time Dog Mom. He comforts us in all times, when we are sick, when we are well, when we are sad and grieving, or happy and celebrating, he is by our side.

This dog loves unconditionally. He does not hold grudges. He does not withhold his love if things do not go his way. Often as humans our love becomes conditional in our relationships. Not Cuddles! He shows and gives his love without provisions: he wags his tail, he gives kisses freely, he is true and steadfast. He also receives love unconditionally. Sometimes, as humans, it is difficult for us to receive love for various reasons, whether we feel unworthy or that the love may come with obligations. Cuddles openly receives love: scratches, loving words, treats, snuggles, walks, without a thought.

What lessons have you learned from your fur baby? Animals? Spirit animals?

Much love,

Rachel