My family and I picked up our new Havanese puppy – Fiona – three weeks ago. She has been the focus of our attention since then – puppies require constant attention. She has been an absolute joy and she has shown traits that we all can learn lessons from.
Be Curious – Be Present
Like most puppies, Fiona is curious and always present – that’s how she lives every day. Everything is new to her and she explores every nook, cranny, and sound. We can learn from her and be curious about our surroundings, explore everything we see, hear, or smell, and live in the now.
Be Fearless
Most puppies shy away from loud sounds, but Fiona doesn’t, she just watches. Noise does not stop her and she is comfortable enough, that she is fearless – in play, she launches without hesitation. The lack of fear enables us to encounter new experiences.
Be Persistent
When Fiona wants something, she is tenacious. She will not stop until she gets what she wants, even if we pull her away. This persistence is necessary in accomplishing our goals – never give up, never surrender.
Unconditional Joy
Puppies bring joy – Fiona is funny, clumsy and fun to watch. She can make a toy out of the most mundane item. Her favorite toy is a small terry cloth towel tied in a knot. It just goes to show that we can find joy in the simplest of things – they don’t have to be complex or expensive.
Unconditional Love
Puppies give unconditional love – Fiona’s unconditional love helps us live happier lives. If we spread that kind of love unto others in this world, that would be a good thing!
So…
Getting Fiona has been joyous. Don’t get me wrong, she is a lot of work, but hey, she is worth it. She has dominated our family for these past weeks and no one complains. She has increased our laughter a hundred-fold and we get to cuddle her when we need to de-stress. We all can learn a lot from Fiona – she sure knows how to live. 