http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-spirituality-of-dogs.html
The Spirituality of Dogs
I admit it. I’m hopelessly in love. The first time I laid eyes on her in a pet shop in Chile, Elizabeth, my bulldog puppy, stole my heart. She looked forlorn and desperately bored; the poor thing had been caged up in the store for four months; no-one would buy her because she was so small for her age. I was shocked to hear she had been living like that for so long, and although I was not planning on getting another dog (I already had seven!) it was impossible for me to resist.
Elizabeth is a wonderful example of surrender to life. She embraces her reality completely, as all dogs do. They don’t sit there wondering if their lives could be different; they have an innate ability to enjoy life without questioning. This is a gift that we humans could learn a lot from. With all the “what ifs” that cloud our days, inhibiting our ability to truly enjoy what is in front of us, our capacity to find true happiness is greatly diminished. It is this inability to embrace the beauty of our present reality that maintains us in discontent. But not for Elizabeth! She embraces everything with loving acceptance, and I secretly believe that it was this surrender that brought her into my life. Why? Because now she experiences the other extreme; she lives in the lap of luxury, adored and pampered to her hearts content. She is the most loving and affectionate dog I have ever had; she is quite happy to fall asleep on top of mummy, her slobbery chops resting on my shoulder.
We get what we give in life. If we face situations of injustice with resentment and aggression, we will surely be in for a long and disheartening battle. Yet if we can learn to embrace the hardships with surrender and trust, a trust that everything is bringing us toward a greater freedom that we cannot yet conceive in its entirety, maybe, just maybe, we can transform situations of suffering into opportunities for growth.
In our arrogance, we accept the idea of the superiority of humanity without question. But maybe we have much more to learn from our animal friends than we think. What wisdom have you learnt from your animal companions? I’d love to hear about it in the comments section below.
Isha Judd is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher and author; her latest book and movie, Why Walk When You Can Fly? explain her system for self-love and the expansion of consciousness. Learn more at www.whywalkwhenyoucanfly.com.
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39 comments
add your comment »Our dog, Sophie, a black and tan mini-dachshund, is loving beyond words. She greets us w/an unbridled enthusiasm, wiggling her little body and growling happy sounds when we walk in the door, even if we're only gone for a short time. Our family is the love of her life, and she, ours. When I fell down a short flight of stairs (those darn heels!) and ended up in a clump at the bottom, she almost flew through the air to get to me and started giving me what seemed like mouth to mouth rescuscitation. I did the same for her when she got bit by a spider last fall and almost died after going into anaphylactic shock. I have since found that depending on the weight of the dog, in her case, 1/2 of a benadryl (smash w/a hammer and put the powder down throat), worked well when she got bit by a bee this summer. We would do anything for this dog and I treasure her company each day. She knows what I'm talking about and can read me like a book. If I'm a bit sad or angry about something, she looks at me w/these loving eyes as if to say, 'it'll be alright, I'm here for you.' I never thought I'd be one of those 'crazy dog owners' like my sister who celebrates her dogs' b-days and has a place for all the dog photos in her house. I'm proud to say I've joined the club and wouldn't have it any other way. I will always have a dog even into my golden years.
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My lab is now 12 and half and still is a darling, he may not be able to go on those long walks we used to enjoy but even a short walk is a pleasure for him. Why do i love him so ?because when sad he comforts me without words and when am happy shares that moment too. But above it is the love he gives always unconditionally.
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I am my 4th border collie my girls, my life and my trust. They have literally saved my life and know me inside and out, they love me unconditionally and give my respect like no other. My current Kokomo has led my to a new-life and business and I only do business with people she trusts. I wish I could trust humans like I trust her. My love my little girl, my life.
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i live in south africa & love my dogs , any rescued dog after passing away , i will try i get a new puppy from a breeder or wherever, as the deceased reincarnated with same name . at first , my family were strongly opposed & i have tons of special email spiritual support & intervention - war nearly broke out over this .
i am psycho-abused & thus extra caring of my dogs.
i am a buddhist & vegetarian , would like to find a place to do spiritual meditation retreats with dogs included as much as possible.
where i live, there is severe govt abuse & attempts to get rid of all dogs from walks & homes - it is so fearful all the time ; & worse than this . but the dog owners now have petitions all the time & keep our rights & prevent the next steps taken ....wr don't want this.
they get lots of homeopathic remedies & natural health food ,organic brown rice , veg, flax oil, milk thistle , ginseng , probiotics , walks , etc .f one has a hot spot - i don't use cortisone, or prozac or anything - only natural means.
am worried, if i go overseas with my dogs in the future - what if they get lost or stolen on the airplane ?
lots of dog petition now running .
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Sharon - your story of Duke is wonderful. They say Angels come in and out of our lives to help us. This is the perfect example. Emily
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Hi, I rescued a male Boxer, named Duke 2 1/2 years ago. He suddenly passed away at the age of 8 more than 2 months ago. I was completely devastated. I say I rescued him but truly he rescued me. He came to my life at a very low point. He stood by me through those times, and when my life really turned around, he was also there to share in it all. He taught me to live and love each moment and every day. As he passed so suddenly, in my arms I realized the day I rescued him, he rode home with my in my arms as well. We came full circle. We never know what each day will bring so we need to remember to live each day to the fullest as our animals friends do and to love like they do as well, unconditionally. They are the true blueprint for life. We honored Duke by rescuing another boxer that needed a home. His life and memory are never forgotten but remain in our hearts.
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As i write, my son is running our 3yr old very intelligent, sensitive rescue, a labrador/rhodesian ridgeback around and around the block. Those ridgebacks can run forever! And in a moment I will meet them. The three of us will walk (I prefer a slower pace) several more blocks as the sun sets...Infinity, my son and I return home at dusk feeling as one family; canine, boy and mommy. I feel so blessed!
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I love dogs, I´ve had three femaleBoxers , the second one died one month ago, and i thought i could´nt take it she wash only three years old, but a week after I was blessed someone didn´t know or wanted the female boxer puppy he had just gotten and he gave it to me..she´s only three months old she arrived very skinny so I named her" BEAT IT"..she´s going to beat this.. her eyes are so grateful, with only one small movement she let´s me know if I´m doing the proper thing...or not!!.they are all like that..What they´ve given me no human being has ever been able to give...SO I´m in Love with her, and the pain for the loss of Mirra has gone softly with the her arrival!!! We live in Bogotá Colombia, and we are very happy in our country! thnxs!!!
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My dog Cindy is 9 years old and I can tell that she has helped me heal very deep. When I see her inocence, her living joy to present moment, her cheerfullness, she becomes an example for me of no attachment to drama and no ego at all. She is the only living creature that perceives my consciousness exaltations experiences and responds neatly to this joy and love.
I don't need to think out how to thank her for all her love, I just look at her eyes and cuddle her... and everything is expressed!
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I have 3 dogs and 2 cats - all rescues. They are my entire life. I will choose to stay home from going out with friends because I'd rather hang with my furry friends - I'm not sure if that says something about me, my friends or my dogs, Ha!
My 3 dogs have been through unbelievable neglect and abuse, even more than I can comprehend and the kicker is - those dogs have more love, compassion and character than I could ever hope to have. I wish I was a dog.
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