Newsletter Articles written by Tera Thomas
Issue 22
Gone to the Dogs
by Tera Thomas
I had dogs when I was growing up, but for years as an adult I lived in apartments, I moved a lot, and dogs took much more time and energy than I had to spare. Cats lived with me but the dogs in my life lived with friends and family.
My life changed radically a little over 3 years ago when Hummingbird Farm got a permanent home. For the first time in my adult life I felt I could consider getting a dog of my very own. I was only contemplating this when my friend and fellow animal communicator, Patty Summers, called to tell me she had met the perfect dog for me. “I’m not quite ready,” I pro-tested. “Just let me send you his picture,” she said. I agreed, and when I saw Max’s photo I was sunk.
I’d like to say that bringing Max home was simple and that he fit right in immediately, but it took a lot of time and adjustment for me and my cat friends, Maia and Tuli Bear. Max was a year old when he came to us and he was over-exuberant with the cats, barking at them or chasing them. He ate the pockets out of several pairs of pants, chewed up plants, and practically pulled my arm off when I tried to walk him on leash. It was exhausting.
I apologized to Tuli for putting him and Maia through the chaos and wondered what possible benefit there could be for them in a relationship with a dog. Tuli gave me a disdainful look, “It is not an accident that he is with us and I know our lives will be blessed by his presence. Max is supposed to be a part of our family and you better just stop your complaining and make him feel welcome in our home.” It’s pretty humbling to be chewed out by your cat but, okay, I got it.
Max and I began to take positive reinforcement training classes. He loved learning new things and he began to teach me too. I hadn’t realized how unclear I could be, how my mouth said one thing and my body said another, how I was unsure what my boundaries are. Max helps me to be clear on those things and he also helps me to lighten up. Max loves to do tricks and funny things to make me, and everyone else, laugh. Soon I was throwing toys in my house and rolling around on the floor with Max. The first time I knocked the lamp over with a ball Max gave me an “uh-oh” look and I just laughed. Max had me playing like I had never played before, he became kind and gentle with Maia and Tuli, welcoming and loving to people who came to visit, how he greets each day with an exuberant love of life, how could my life have ever felt complete without his wonderful presence?
Maia and Tuli have benefited greatly from their relationship with Max. They send him to tell me when they want in or out, or if it’s time to eat. One night I woke to strange sounds in the kitchen and found that Tuli had knocked a plastic jar of treats off the refrigerator and he and Maia were huddled together watching Max trying to open it for them.
A few months ago, Max chose a dog friend to live with us. Daphne is a wacky puppy girl and Max adores her. I thought Max had taught me patience but nothing could have prepared me for Daphne. Who knew that puppies could be so much work!? I have opened my heart wider, let go of my need to control everything in my life (some things I still want to control—darn, I’m not perfect yet), learned how to have clear boundaries, how to love deeper, and how to play more. I guess you could say I’ve gone to the dogs and it’s a lot of fun.
I love watching the ways that animals work with people—me and others. Each species has its own special way of opening hearts and teaching about connection. It’s amazing to me how deeply animals love us, how patient they are with us, and how much they have to teach us. Every animal on this farm works with me in his or her own unique way and is a teacher to me. I have been thick as a brick at times and I’ve needed a lot of help. I am grateful to each of them.
Dogs have long had a special relationship with humans. It takes so little for them to love and appreciate us. One kind word makes a tail wag, a smile appear on those funny lips. Dogs work for us, they comfort us, they heal us, they save us, they find us when we’re lost, and they make us laugh. No one has made me laugh as much as Max and Daphne. (Well, okay, the goats are right up there in the laughter department, but they are another story.) I have been so serious all of my life, working so hard to get things right, worrying that I might not deserve to be happy. Max and Daphne have shown me how fun can lighten the load, how play and laughter are deep spiritual expressions. Of all the wonderful things dogs do for us, I know that more than anything, they love to have fun, and I’m beginning to think that I do too!
