Day 400
No matter what the day holds, or how many challenges need to be overcome, arriving home to all of this love is amazing! One of the younger Goldens is always partitioned off in the sunroom, so they are the first to set off the Doggy Alarm as they look out the window! By the time we unlock the door and allow the dogs to congregate, all they want is to cry, jump, lick and love us up one side and down the other!
There are many who might question our lack of control at these moments. They would certainly have a point. There are also others who would give just about anything to be greeted with so much love!
Returning home, whether from months, days, hours or minutes, should be a joyful celebration. Even walking out to check the mail is met with adoration from our four upon returning! Sam is the neediest at this point, so our pup acts like we are his oxygen. Every time we go out the door, he awaits...prepared to welcome us home with excitement and vigor!
People need to feel valued at the most visceral level. There are certainly many ways to accomplish that with those we love, but starting with a welcome home might be just the ticket. Whenever someone comes to the door, it is my goal to make them feel welcome from the moment they set foot inside the house. With my own children and Sweet Asher, meeting them with excitement and love has always been one way I can help them feel validated regarding the importance they hold in my heart. A quick, "I have missed you!" or "I am so excited you are home!" might just be the most special words that person has encountered all day. At my home, a hug followed by asking them about their latest adventure is commonplace. Make them feel like they are the most important thing in the world.
There are those who might just return to an empty home devoid of love from humans or pets. I try to identify those people in my walks with Goldens and make a real attempt at phone calls, cards or visits. Nobody...nobody should ever be left alone devoid of love.
Although we can't find every lost heart, we can certainly uncover a few and make those individuals feel like they matter. Following the cues from my own greetings at home, it is easy to tell those people that you have missed them, that you are glad they are there or that their smile brightens the world. They are out there...you just have to look and then act with a generous heart.
Lessons my Goldens have taught me might just start with this: "Make everyone feel like they are the most important person in your world...if only for a moment. That person will carry that warmth in their heart for a very long time.
