Things we can learn from puppies

I have chosen to volunteer at our local 4PAWS For Ability this summer ... Specifically with the "puppy house".  There is really nothing like playing with puppies to quiet the spirit and put a smile on your face!  🐶😀.  So twice a week I go for a few hours each day.

My observations for today, as I watched them interact ...

1.  Even puppies need community ... Litters of pups can't be mixed until they have had all of their shots, so while I am playing with one litter another litter is in a "cage" in the same room.  I noticed that after they would run around and play, when they settled down they would all end up cuddled together in a corner of the pen.  They needed to be near each other.  While I am not suggesting we humans cuddle in a corner together, the point is obvious:  we need each other.

2.  Puppies need the occasional "pat on the head" or puppy cuddle ... As I was playing with the pups, they would run around the room, play with their toys and fight with each other.  But every so often they would drop what they were doing and run over to me, wanting a ruffling of their head, a pat or encouraging word ... As if that extra encouragement gives them the confidence to go "back out there".  Off they go.  Who needs an encouraging word from you/me today?  Instead of thinking about myself and what I need, I need to be aware of those around me.

3.  They want what each other has ... This is not exactly a positive one! LOL, but true of dogs and people, none-the-less.  Each dog had the same type of rope they were playing with, however they would drop theirs and go after what the other one had.  Funny to watch for sure!  I have to fight against the same thing, whether it's wanting what someone else has or wishing my life was like someone else's.

4.  They have the occasional "mess" and even walk right through it! ..... And of course they poop or pee at will wherever they are, and most of the time walk in it!  Then come over and crawl over me, getting their mess on me!  In some cases we need each other to walk through our "messes" with us and those are the "good" experiences.  Other times we make a "bad" mess and get it, and the stink of
it, on others.

All.I.Got.