On the last day of National Pet Month, we would like to take some time to appreciate our pets. We have complied this list of life lessons that our animals live by. As it turns out, we have a lot to learn from our furry friends!
1. Dig deeper
Remember that hole in the garden that your pup keeps returning to despite your pleas? The one that keeps getting a little deeper every day? Take some guidance from your pooch and dig deeper in your own life. Take out one of those daunting recipes that you’ve been too nervous to try. Grab that book that’s been sitting on your bookshelf collecting dust for two years next month. Deepen your friendships by reaching out for a coffee date. Whatever it is, grab hold of what you’ve been passive about and intentionally dig into it. Become more involved, more invested and more invigorated. Take it from your furry friend.
2. Take time for yourself
Chances are, when you visualize your cat, you picture them sunbathing on their favorite rug, or sprawled lackadaisically in their preferred chair. Contrarily, adult life in America is permeated with a “work, work, work” mentality, to the point at which taking time for yourself is labelled as selfish or lazy. In the midst of technological innovation, we forget to separate our work life from our home life. We place expectations on ourselves to multitask, work over time, constantly check and respond to emails, and the list goes on. Our cats remind us to take care of ourselves first. By recognizing our own needs, we can provide more for others. It’s okay to take breaks when you need them. It’s okay to sleep if you’re tired. Your cat knows the importance of rest, you should, too.
3. Listen more, talk less
As far as loyalty goes, furry friends are difficult to beat. They listen while you vent, nestle next to you as you cry, and, perhaps most importantly, NEVER tell you “I told you so.” We can all learn something here. Oftentimes, all a person wants and needs when they are upset is for someone to listen and validate their suffering. They don’t need to be informed of a solution, or made to recognize what they could have done differently. Even if the intentions are good, most people will appreciate a listener more than a self-proclaimed fixer. Through listening, absorbing, and reflecting, we also learn more from others. This cultivates humility, empathy, and open mindedness.
4. Keep clean
A cat cleaning themselves is one of the most mesmerizing chores to observe. Their rough tongue is brushed against their arms, which are then used to clean their face and ears. Cats certainly know how to keep themselves polished and presentable. This is a behavior that can lead to productivity fueled by higher self-esteem in our own lives. By keeping ourselves and our environment clean, we feel more organized and on top of things. If we look ready to conquer the day, we are more likely to feel ready to conquer the day. Carrying through with small tasks helps us feel more capable of tackling big ones.
5. Lay in the grass every once in a while
For a dog, a day’s highlight usually consists of the time they spent outside. Many dog owners will be familiar with the enthusiastic whines that come when you announce that it’s time for a walk. And on a warm day, they may even lay in the grass and watch and listen to the world around them. Why shouldn’t we do the same? Go outside and lay down in the grass. Absorb the moment around you. Take time to study the sky and its clouds, the sound of the wind, the trees. By turning down the volume of life’s clutter, we improve our mind’s clarity.
6. Stay hydrated
Pets drink when they’re thirsty, whether from a stream, a ditch, or their own special bowl (and who can blame them with that fur coat they’re stuck wearing?). While there would have to be something terribly wrong for us to forget our morning coffee, we are notorious for forgetting to drink enough water throughout the day. Generally the 8×8 rule is recommended (eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day), but the average daily water intake in America is 3.9 cups. Water enhances physical performance, boosts energy and brain function, and can even help with weight loss!
7. Treat yourself to a biscuit sometimes
As any dog mom will tell you, treats make for effective incentives and a great way to show your love for your pet. Dogs happily accept their treats; they have no hesitations about whether or not they deserve it, no feelings of guilt. We should learn to do the same. Whether it’s a pastry from your favorite bake shop, your favorite coffee from the local cafe, or simply an extra episode of that Netflix series, reward yourself when you’ve done well. If you’re reading this, that’s reason enough for a treat. You deserve it!
8. Simplify your life
The life of your pet is pretty simple. No laundry, no ever increasing email inbox, no piles of clutter that you keep telling yourself you’ll sort out eventually. The life of your pet is minimalized, and filled with the positive things. Likewise, if we stop trying to go in a million different directions, we can go further down the paths that matter most. So go ahead and sort out those piles, donate the clothes you don’t wear to a local yellow box, buy less and repurpose more. The elements you bring to your environment, you bring to your inner reality; let clarity and intentionality come from your pursuit of simplicity.
9. Be playful
No matter how old your pets get, a game of fetch or a ball of yarn will never lose its appeal. Our pets are always up for some play time, and we should be, too. Playfulness keeps us young and agile in physical and mental ways. So foster your imaginative side! Pull out a board game instead of turning on the TV or scrolling on Instagram, tap into your creativity by learning watercolors, sign up for a dance class, buy a bike. Life is too short to be taken too seriously. Make sure you’re having some fun along the way!
10. Spend time with the people you love above all else
Ah yes, the most important tip for last. Our animals are always there for us, through the good and the bad. Nothing matters more in their life than their owner. Too often various things steal time from us that should be spent with our loved ones. And the worst part is that it happens without us even realizing it. When all is said and done, it’s the people in our lives that truly matter. So call your mom to ask about her day, make a coffee date with your sister, keep in touch with those friends from college. You’ll be happy you did.
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