Life Lessons from a Hound Dog
We adopted Brody, a Walker Hound when he was 5 years old from a very under resourced animal shelter. It was love at first sight and this dog who had been in a shelter for well over a year was undernourished with serious skin/fur issues because he was in desperate need of consistent food and care.
My husband and I adopt older dogs because they are rarely chosen over the puppies at shelters. Brody changed our lives for the better and has been a constant source of unconditional love for our family.
With lots of attention, love, healthy food, and regular Veterinarian check-ups Brody blossomed and developed a shiny coat and a hound dog swagger. He never met a stranger he didn’t love and his baritone howl (classic for a hound dog!) is known throughout our neighborhood.
Miracle Hound
Brody is 11 now and almost 2 years ago was diagnosed with cancer. Our Vet gave him only few months to live. Brody is like a cat with 9 lives and has outlived his terminal diagnosis by 18 months – needless to say, we are deeply grateful.
While there is no doubt that Brody is not as robust as he once was, he still lives each day to the fullest. Some days are better than others, and he is clearly slowing down but his behavior is a reminder to us all that life is precious and your mindset matters.
Smell the Roses – or the Dog Butts (If you are a dog!)
Our walks with Brody are shorter in distance but longer in duration because he still loves to smell everything. The joy in his face when he catches a scent reminds me how to enjoy the world with all my senses, all the time.
While his face is now covered in sugar (my word for gray) his tail wagging and unconditional love is still palpable. We don’t know how long Brody will last but I’m confident he’ll let us know when he’s ready to go. I’m grateful for every day with this happy hound dog that has changed our lives for the better.
Life Lessons Learned
Over the years, all our dogs, especially Brody have taught us valuable lessons that we humans can learn from.
- Live in the present: Dogs don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They focus on the here and now, reminding us to appreciate the moment.
- Enjoy the simple things: Dogs find happiness in simple pleasures like a walk, a belly rub, or a game of fetch, reminding us to appreciate the small joys in life.
- Unconditional love: Dogs offer unwavering love and loyalty, teaching us the value of unconditional affection and acceptance.
- Loyalty and courage: Dogs are fiercely loyal to their families and will protect them at all costs, demonstrating the importance of loyalty and courage.
- Forgiveness: Dogs are quick to forgive and move on from mistakes, teaching us to let go of grudges and move forward.
- Non-judgmental compassion: Dogs show us how to accept others without preconceived notions, promoting empathy and understanding.
- Curiosity and exploration: Dogs are naturally curious and enjoy exploring their environment, reminding us to embrace curiosity and be open to new experiences.
- Service to others: Dogs demonstrate the importance of being in service to others, offering comfort and support to those in need.
Here’s to Brody and may he continue to live a wonderful life – he has certainly made mine more beautiful!
