Day 206

12/7/22

Tonight, I find myself appreciating our Gus. This dog has been a CHALLENGE from day one and the first year was full of "zoomies", destruction, naughtiness and love. We didn't always LIKE our middle boy, but we always loved him! After saying goodbye to countless shoelaces, pillows, stuffed animals and socks, we believed this might just be our future with Gus. How wrong we were!

I knew this pup was just looking for entertainment and attention, so I tried every trick I knew. Finally, I decided to pull out the biggest "trick" of all...a new puppy!

We always knew that another pup was in our future to train as a Therapy Dog, but we weren't sure when that would fit into our lives. Well, we were blessed to be chosen to add Sweet Sam to our pack. Following his development from the day he was born (Thank you Cassie Puppy Mama!), we knew he was going to be an amazing boy. We were just not sure how Gus would react to this new family member.

From the moment we entered the door with our new puppy, Gus was a changed dog! At first, he was excited and inquisitive, but then the metamorphosis began. He realized that Sam was a bit more fragile that the others and that the puppy had a lot to learn. Gus became his mentor and friend. It was almost as if he stood taller!

Sam has learned respect, affection and doggy rules by watching his big brother. They are inseparable and the best of friends. What a win/win for the home team. We have the most amazing puppy who is learning from a reformed year-old Golden!

It made me reflect on the people who have been a "Gus" to me in my life. Certainly family, colleagues, friends and teachers would fall into that category. Taking it one step further, I searched my heart to see where the most enduring lessons were born.

Of all the truths I have embraced, all center on kindness. In my life, I have been witness to so many people who chose to be kind when it wasn't really necessary. Observing those people offer their time, their support and their love to others when it wasn't expected has made an indelible imprint within me.

It all seems to boil down to kindness. Empathizing with those around us can bring out kind spirits in each one of us. When I put myself in someone else's shoes and apply the lessons learned from the wonderful people who have impacted my world, kindness is the result.

How lucky we are to have Gus and his kind heart to help our little Sam find his way. How lucky I have been to have a plethora of kind people in my life to guide my choices.

In one of my books, The Giraffe, one of my favorite characters, has the best quote and I use it often. "Always choose kindness."