For a long time, I have wanted to write about our dog—Meeker the Maltipoo. He is a seven-pound Maltese-Toy Poodle mix and a micropile of pure life lessons. Many of you have seen him in some of my past blog photos…or on Bottom Line’s Store site…or in my LinkedIn profile picture.
Because Meeker is so small and he has a happy little prance when he walks, people frequently stop us to ask about him. In the airport (we pay for him to fly in his bag under our seat), it is amazing the emotional support he provides to stressed-out travelers, especially parents traveling with young children.
But hey, there is page after page of blog posts about the lessons we can learn from our pets. And like all pet owners, I think our dog is special. That said, I often see the world a little differently from other people, so I thought I would share with you some of Meeker’s unique lessons in life.
Step lively. Meeker doesn’t just walk—he hops and prances when he walks, kind of like the white Lipizzaner Stallions I once saw in the circus. It just shouts “I’m happy” to everyone. Studies have shown that our body language sends signals not just to the outside world but also to our internal world. Present your best energy to the external world…and if you’re not feeling so perky, “fake it till you make it.” It helps.
Act with grace. Being a gentleman or a lady is always in style. Meeker doesn’t beg or gobble his food. He waits patiently for his meals and when he wants to go outside. If he wants something, he may bark once or twice but never in a demanding way. He asks and then waits his turn. In the end, his graceful manner wins him whatever he wants.
Say hi to everyone. At the park, Meeker runs over to pretty much anyone and everyone and does a “fly by.” Essentially, he sprints over…checks people out…gives a quick wave…and then goes on his merry way.
When we fly with him, before takeoff, Meeker sits at attention on one of our laps, generally in an aisle seat, welcoming the boarding passengers. He doesn’t bark at them—he just sits calmly, watching and welcoming.…and enjoying the passengers’ smiles as they pass.
Have you ever played a game of saying hi to people you pass? It’s fun to see how many people respond…how many suddenly smile when you acknowledge them…and how many choose to keep their heads buried in their thoughts.
Take care of the people in your life. When we take Meeker to the park or the beach and let him off his leash, he does two things—runs to say hi to all the other dogs and people on our route…and stops regularly to look over his shoulder to be sure that we are still with him. He is happy to have his freedom and independence…but just like our children, he wants to know that we are still there for him and that we are OK. After he gets tired from all the sprinting and visiting, Meeker will walk along right next to us. Just like the pilots in the movie Top Gun, Meeker never leaves his wingmen.
Enjoy family dinners. Most dogs gobble their food as soon as the bowl hits the ground—not in our house. If we put Meeker’s food down and leave the room, that food can sit for hours getting dry and crusty. He doesn’t like to eat alone. If we have a busy day and breakfast is served in haste, it is not uncommon for me or our daughter to have to sit down on the floor hours later next to Meeker’s plate so that he will come eat. We serve his dinner at the same time as the family sits down, and he is one happy family member eating with his pack. Humans—pay attention.
Don’t get angry—unless you really mean it. Meeker plays with all dogs—big, small and in between. He is like a little brother tagging along with the big kids asking if he can play, too. And like that little brother, when Meeker plays with the big kids, he might get tumbled around a bit— but never, ever has he turned a lip or growled at any dog unless that dog has been relentlessly mean to him. When it matters, Meeker lets the other dog know it…but only very rarely. Generally, he is tolerant of all, even when he would prefer a little more personal space. Anger is a valuable tool when used judiciously. But it is self-destructive when called upon too often. Angry dogs have no place in public spaces…nor do angry people.
Give it 100%. At our town’s dog park, there is an area where the small dogs gather. The owners sit on the benches and watch the small dogs play with one another, generally in a fairly tame way. But Meeker doesn’t saunter over to his little dog-park friends—he sprints in, creating a huge ruckus as all the dogs turn and chase him, rarely catching our little speedster. Here he is giving 1000% as a “sled dog” dragging a four-year-old snowboarder around!
Do you remember the hugely popular book in the 1980s called All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. It was a great book. I am surprised that no one ever did a sequel about lessons from our pets. With all of the anger and self-absorption running through society today, it seems we could use a few of Meeker’s lessons in civility.
On a related note, if you are like us and are constantly snapping pics of your favorite pooch or other pet, check out Bottom Line Personal’s great article with tips on taking adorable pet photos. Enjoy!
