One day I came home from work, I saw my dog, Zach sitting at the front window with foam all over his face. He looked at me affectionately, telling me in his own language he had a great day. As I reflect on this time what a great opportunity for Doggie Day Care this would have been. Zach had many other adventures while I was at work, it was a family tradition to put one’s Christmas Tree in front of a window so others could see it. I would come home from work and the tree would be knocked over. I would sit the tree up when I walked through the door and the next day Zach, and I would repeat the same routine. It took me a lot longer than it did for Zach to realize that the tree was blocking his view of the outdoors. Moving the tree to a different location solved the problem. As often learned many solutions are simple.

Zach was one of those dogs that just could not get close enough to you, whether home or away. On one occasions I came home from work and Zach had eaten hole in the back of the sofa, right where I always sat. Another time he chewed a hole in the mattress where I always slept. Zach was telling me he needed my time and attention. After he chewed the back out of a new pair of shoes and used my glasses as a chew toy. I again got the message “pay attention to me, play with me, give me more time. “Zach was no ornery dog; he was not a bad dog – I needed to learn the lesson of who was important to him. I t was me and I needed to give him time and attention.. He was creative and he was mischievous but those are admirable qualities. Another time doggie day care would be a solution.

Zach also understood the importance of play. We had a backyard that had a corner that would get very muddy and retain water during Houston’s infamous rainstorms. He took great pleasure in getting as muddy and wet as possible. He loved coming in to see me with a smile on his face, that said “man that was fun.” Sometimes I wish I could have dropped my inhibitions enough to go out and join him playing in the water and the mud. The lesson learned is play with what is given you and enjoy it.

Zach also helped me understand the importance of companionship. After three or four years, we invited Toto into our home. Zach welcomed her with a wagging tail and introduced her to all the nuances of the house. Toto was a little bit of thing that never really understood that she was not a big dog. Zach always had her back. Zach understood it was his responsibility to teach her, protect her and to let her be herself. Seeing the joy of companionship opens all hearts. Lesson learned be bold enough to love.

Zach lived to be 19 years old. As he got closer to the end of his life, he was blind and he did not hear well. There was a brick walkway in the backyard. Zach would follow it to his designated place. Do his business and follow the walkway back to the house. When Zach was outside, he enjoyed the fresh air, embraced the sunshine, and always found something delightful to sniff. Lesson learned no matter what our age, life is meant to be enjoyed to its fullest.

I have learned that each day there is a lesson for me to learn to improve my life and to improve the life of all creatures whose path I share.