Lessons from Leo III
Leo—my family’s extra-sweet, affectionate and quirky fox-colored yellow lab—is about to turn three. After “Lessons from Leo” and “Lessons from Leo II,” I didn’t expect to have enough insights for a third installment, but Leo keeps teaching me important lessons just as I am ready to receive them—and all without uttering a single word!
Happy 3rd birthday Leo! Thank you for sharing your boundless love and joy, as well as the following essential life lessons:
1) Don’t rush. Leo feels comfortable taking his time, and he doesn’t mind keeping me waiting. This time of year, at the end of every farm walk, Leo always runs to pick an apple from a nearby tree right when we’re about to enter the gate to our yard. Then he drops it on the grass, and slowly relishes it, one bite at a time. Since there is no way to hurry him along, I’ve finally stopped trying. When he’s done, he runs to the gate with a joyous expression, tail-a-twirling, ready to go inside. Leo reminds me that slowing down helps me savor the delicious things in life, and that it’s okay to put my personal enjoyment first, even at the risk of inconveniencing others.
2) Simply meander. Farm walks with Leo are especially enjoyable because of the glee he exhibits as he eagerly explores the natural world with an abundance of curiosity. I’m so used to walking fast—for exercise or to arrive at a predetermined destination—that I’m grateful to Leo for inspiring me to go outside to simply meander. It is absolutely delightful to spend a little time copying my pup by using all my senses to explore anything that catches my attention. I come away relaxed, nurtured, and with a reawakened sense of awe.
3) Ask for what you want. Whether it’s bringing me his favorite blue ball for a game of catch, lying on his back to invite some good belly rubs, or scratching at the door to be let outside, Leo regularly asks me to give him what he wants without censoring himself out of fear of rejection. Leo teaches me that if you don’t ask for what you want, you’ll likely never get it, and if you’re not immediately successful, don’t let that deter you. Wait a little bit, then ask again.
4) Protect your boundaries. Leo is the sweetest dog I’ve ever known, but he can turn fierce while protecting his boundaries. When a stranger pulls into our driveway, he transforms into a powerful watchdog, hair raised on his back, barking furiously. Although the boundaries I need to set have nothing to do with raising the alarm when strangers arrive, setting effective boundaries is a skill I am striving to develop. I need to get better at guarding my time and emotional energy, but fear of offending people has made this challenging for me. I appreciate how Leo demonstrates that protecting ourselves doesn’t make us unkind.
5) Get plenty of rest. Although Leo is exuberant and full of energy, he naps frequently. As someone who lives much of my life in fifth gear and has a hard time balancing my output with sufficient relaxation, Leo sets a great example. As I work to break old habits of overruling my body’s signals and pushing past my comfort zone, I’m learning to emulate Leo. I’m also making it a point to join my pups more frequently for sessions of restorative rest and delicious cuddles.
6) Keep growing. Yellow labs aren’t supposed to grow much after their first year, and they’re definitely supposed to stop growing by the time they are two, yet Leo keeps getting bigger and bigger. Part of this is that he’s finally filling out, but standing next to his yellow-lab brother Henry, he appears to be getting taller, too. While I may not be growing in size like Leo, my pup inspires me to grow in many other ways. He helps me appreciate how much can be communicated without words, and how sharing unconditional love and unbridled joy makes everyday a celebration.
Thank you, Leo!
