Day 25: Stay PAWsitive

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Day 25 of Quarantine: Stay PAWsitive Total cases (US): 468566 Total deaths(US): 16691

Our pets do not know what coronavirus is. They aren't worried or concerned at all! If anything, they are so happy to not be alone at home. Our furry friends are making the best of each moment and we can apply this to our own lives. When we are feeling discouraged and lost it may help to think about what our dogs would do. They make us smile, love being outside, and take time to relax.

Interacting with an animal can increase feel-good hormones like dopamine and oxytocin while lowering blood pressure. It can also help us keep our routines healthy. Our pets remind us to get outside and go for a walk and care for ourselves. People use the phrase "I didn't rescue my dog, he/she rescued me" but it is completely true!

Here are some lessons that pets can teach us. I have found these very helpful, especially when looking at how our dog, Huck, follows these.

1. Accept: When you are feeling out of sorts, acknowledge your emotions and don't criticize them. For example, when a dog doesn't want to play with Huck, he doesn't take it personally.

2. Let go: Dogs feel refreshed and at peace because of their abilities to let go. They take a moment to forgive anything that has happened and let go of the past.

3. Refocus: Invest some time into doing something you love. Take some time to feel the joy and be in the moment. Yesterday we walked up to our back property and Huck went crazy! He was charging through the sagebrush and would dip into the stream. He then would race back up the hill, leap onto the trailer and shake water all over. Only to be followed by darting back down and doing it again. He felt free and completely happy. What can you do that will make you feel joy? It may be learning something new or going for a long, adventurous walk. I assume it will not be darting through the bushes and shaking water all over, but you never know!

Huck is a very friendly dog and always wants to socialize. I think this is because he has absolutely no ego! He isn't self-conscious and has no insecurities. People would get along so much better if they followed this example! Humans may be critical of the concept of ego but it can be a positive thing. Many lessons can be learned because the ego is linked to our personality and this is often the face we show to the rest of the world and helps us to get along with others. Let your ego be free.

If you don't have a pet, that is okay too. You can find joy in caring for other pets too. My grandma makes homemade dog biscuits for all of her neighborhood dogs. You can simply apply these lessons to your life, a dog is only an example of how the lessons are applied.

On another note, it is really nice to hear about all of the adoptions taking place during the quarantine. People are adopting to have a companion and there isn't a better time! Most shelters are empty and a recent adoption boom has helped shelters, owners, and pets.

Stay PAWsitive, Ava