Life is short

In one of the podcasts I often listen to the host asks “if you could go back to any time in history where would you go?” People often say the 1960s or 1500s or to see the dinosaurs. To be honest, I would go back to 2014 and get Lola again and relive her whole life a second time over.

I can’t imagine ever not having her around and am crying even writing this. In the last 6 months around 8 friends have lost their beloved pups, including my best boy Yuki who passed away late last year aged 16. I spend the last few days of his life with him and held him as he passed away. While it was absolutely devastating, I felt so privileged to have his love and trust and remember all the amazing times we had together.

I stayed with him for a couple of hours after he had passed and made some paw prints to keep. As I wrapped him up in his blanket one last time, I couldn’t believe I would never to able to stroke his soft ears or gently kiss his nose again. I have a picture of him next to my desk and in my room and in the lounge and on the piano … he is so incredible cute.

The reason I got into training is because I realised that the incredible friendship that I have with Lola is not something that every dog or person experiences. Having a ‘difficult’ dog can impact on your relationship with them and you can get frustrated and angry with them for their behaviour.

My last foster puppy was like that. I was so incredibly stressed already, and she was not the easiest dog to live with. I was filling out a behavioural form for her (from the vet) and one of the questions was ‘What is your relationship like with the dog?’ and I realised I didn’t like her at all. From that day on I tried to play more with her and concentrate on all the things she was good at. She wasn’t trying to give me a hard time, she was having a hard time.

She was adopted (by my parents) several months later and I felt guilt for a long time for having so much anger and frustration towards her for something that wasn’t her fault.

Your dog’s life is short. So cruelly, tragically, unfairly short. You are their whole world. Never apologise to someone for giving your dog choices and treating them kindly. Kindness is a superpower.

Let them sleep on the bed, have 460 toys, choose where they walk, sniff the same bush for 10 minutes, not say hi to that dog or person, roll in poop (in moderation) and have your love and attention.

Just because your dog isn’t friendly to other dogs, doesn’t like new people, is shy, is pushy, barks, rolls in aforementioned poop, doesn’t like sharing, doesn’t go to cafes, is too excited to greet people, drinks from your teacup when you’re not looking – doesn’t mean they’re not a good dog.

Never let anyone make you feel bad for prioritizing their needs and tell you ‘It’s just a dog’.

I know life is busy and there are 100 different things pulling you in 100 different directions, but you will never regret having that extra morning cuddle or putting down your phone to play some tuggy.

You’re doing a great job and your dog appreciates you.

Now I’m going to go and get a tissue and hug my dog.