Lessons from a Special Pup

Last Christmas our family adopted a puppy. Raymond Charles was a beautiful, red, smooth coat miniature dachshund full of life and born with an undeveloped optic nerve leaving him blind. It was a fact we accepted as we welcomed him home. I was grateful the breeder had not destroyed the three pups affected. He was a healing salve for the loss of our beloved Yorkie the summer before but I was unprepared for the many lessons I could learn from one energetic little dog. 

Jump in without regard to obstacles. Raymond, of course, never sees any obstacles. He has a habit of running full throttle wherever he goes. He quickly learned his way around the house and yard and if he occasionally runs into something, he just picks himself up and goes on. He is the most fearless little being I have ever met. I am trying to not focus so much on the obstacles as they appear to me and instead, jump in and see what happens. 

Life is to be tasted. Dogs tend to navigate life with their mouths wide open.  Raymond has to taste it before he judges anything or anyone. He is an equal opportunity taster. Life is just an adventure to be tasted and he seems to enjoy most of it. I am trying to be more adventurous, try more new things and be willing to judge after I have tasted it.

Surround yourself with people ready to catch you. Raymond exhibited a eagerness to jump up but was reluctant to jump down, uncertain how far it was or exactly what might lay at the bottom of his jump. His unwillingness to jump down never deterred him from jumping up. He simply waited eagerly at the edge of the couch or chair or bed, wiggling with anticipation for the people he trained to catch him. He waited til you touched him or he simply felt you near enough and he jumped into your arms, confident he would be caught. He now has two places he will jump down from but he still relies on the people who love him to catch him from all the other places he gets up on. He has not fallen. Enough people will be waiting to see you fall. Try to find a couple ready to catch you or at least help you up when you fall. 

Have someone to lean on. Since day one, our older doxie, Rosie, has been Raymond’s “big dog.” She has been protective, guiding him along the familiar paths in the house until he got the hang of it. She has a new energy playing with him and they rough-house until they sink into a heap of sleeping dogs leaning into each other. It is good to have a trusted friend.

Always be happy to have those you love near. Raymond cannot see me coming but he explodes into happiness at the sound of my voice. I went to pick him up at the vet after his “snip and chip” surgery. He was content and calm in the young woman’s arms as I silently watched him interact. Then I spoke and he wiggled and writhed to be freed into my arms. I try to be as happy to be with my family as he is to be with me.

If you are considering adding a pet, please consider a special needs or rescue animal. As Raymond Charles celebrates his first birthday, he has lots of friends, a loving family, a fenced yard and an attitude about life that we can all learn from.