Sometimes when I’m trying to think of column inspiration, I think about my day — I went to the gym, I went to work. So far, so blah. The highlight of most of my days is coming home and seeing my dog, who is always so excited to see me that he makes me feel like a person much greater than I really am. Whenever I’m trying to think of the most poignant moments or feelings from that week, they nearly always revolve around my dog. It’s funny how a 2kg of fluff can unexpectedly come into your life (he was given to us by a family member of my boyfriend’s who couldn’t look after him anymore) and change everything. I imagine it’s an insight into having a child.
I’ve written before about how I treat him like my child and how alarming it is (I’ve realised I would be a very different mother than the one I thought I’d be. I’d be madly overprotective and the kind of mum to serve kale chips and hummus at children’s parties). Just like mums I speak to (I guess having a dog isn’t comparable to having a baby, but I’m going to do it anyway), I feel guilty when I go to work all day, I buy him the very best food and the coolest toys I can find — I spend much more on him than I do on myself. I also do all those irritating baby voices and not-so-secretly love the fact that he’ll always come running to me over my boyfriend.
But the main thing that has changed my life since I had this little pup — and very often all that spins through my head when I’m sitting down to write my column — is how much he has taught me. I have so many moments of utter bliss when I’m with him.
Now, I’m not going to pretend I’ve gone all spiritual on you, but I do think little furry friends who aren’t weighed down by job stress, money woes, visas and bills can teach us a thing or two. When he looks at me with displeasure as I write features for hours, I remember that there’s always time to stop for ten minutes and go for a walk, or play with a squeaky toy (his preference, not mine). When I wake up in the morning and he rolls over for me to kiss his belly, I am overwhelmed with how much a hug and a kiss can mean. It makes my morning so much happier and, I know, helps us grow closer. My heart almost explodes when my boyfriend comes home and gives me a kiss, and my dog leans in for one, too. Just now, as I was wracking my brains for a column, my dog was happily trotting around the balcony chasing flies. He did it for hours. Earlier in the evening he’d been so delighted at me playing a YouTube video of a Chihuahua howling that he leapt into my arms and licked me all over.
OK, I know other people talking about their babies and pets is dullsville. I’m aware. I suppose I’m saying that it’s good to remember that life doesn’t have to be all about work and bills. Probably catching flies won’t give you the same joy it gives my dog (although I’m pretty certain most people would enjoy those Chihuahua howling vids — they are hilarious), but I’ve definitely been easier on myself since he’s been around — taking my full hour lunch break, really enjoying my time at home, talking to more strangers (everyone talks to you when your teeny tiny dog is sniffing their feet) and just taking more time to have fun and be silly.
I’m not sure about the meaning of life, but I’m pretty sure my dog has it sussed. He doesn’t need to earn loads of money, find himself during a yoga retreat in Goa or keep up with the latest trends. He’s happy enough going to the café, having a long morning hug, sniffing plants on the balcony and eating delicious snacks now and then. I owe it to my dog that I can find happiness in all those perfect little slices of my day.
