Last Tuesday, I woke up to my mom crying at the kitchen island. She told me that she would be putting our dog, Tanner, down today. The news shattered my heart but I went to school anyway and held back my tears.
It doesn’t hurt as much to talk about him now, so I figured I would write a blog about all the lessons I learned from him (I believe you can learn something from anything, even a dog).
- A little loyalty goes a long way
Tanner might’ve been the most loyal creature I’ve ever met. He was willing to do anything and everything just to be near us. He would always try to swim right up to us in the pool, like he was trying to save us from drowning, even if his mouth was barely above water and we were screaming “We’re fine!”. Surprisingly, him doing that made me feel incredibly loved instead of incredibly inconvenienced (though sometimes it was the latter). It meant that he cared, that we were his humans and he wanted to protect us.
- You never know where life will lead you
I used to hate dogs. They were big, loud, and scary so I wanted nothing to do with them. Even when my family started to consider getting a dog, I was vehemently against it. But they got a dog anyway and it only took me about 2 seconds to fall in love with him. That love would open my heart and mind to the wonderful world of dogs. If my parents had listened to me, that wouldn’t have happened, and who knows where I’d be today.
- The word “no” means nothing
Whenever Tanner wanted something, he just had to rub his nose against us enough times and he would eventually get it. Whether it’s the steak we’re eating or a belly rub, Tanner’s wet nose could get him whatever he wanted if he just shoved it up to us enough times. As I watched him, I realized that humans can do the same thing. We can try and try to get something until we do. Whether it’s food or a promotion, you just have to stick through every no.
- Look at the good in everyone
I cannot count the amount of times I accidentally stepped on Tanner’s tail or kicked him while trying to get up. But he always loved me anyway. He also always thought all humans were the most honored guests and announced them as such with his barks and jumps. To him, everyone was a potential friend, and maybe, to some extent, he was right.
Now, he’s not here to teach me these things anymore. His spot on the couch is empty but my heart is still full of memories and everything I’ve learned from every run, walk, and cuddle I got to have with him over these last seven years. So, when I sit on his spot on the couch now, my heart feels full instead of empty, because as long as I live these lessons, Tanner will still be with me.
Until next time,
Ella Greene
