These two little ‘energy balls’ have become the latest members of the family which partially accounts for my online silence for the last week. Having been petless for nearly a year, we are once again appreciating the privilege of having resident mentors.

Fully living in the ‘now’ is the essence of canine mentoring.

If, in their exuberant play, they happen to hurt themselves, a yelp and a minute or so for recovery is all it takes, before they continue with every ounce of gusto they possess. They constantly demonstrate the contrast to our human indulgence of habitual thought patterns or slipping under the victim cap. There is no shame for supposedly looking like a fool, or wallowing in the space of self-pity. It just is, and that’s it. Accept what is and move on.

They have endless curiosity and everything is subjected to delightful exploration through all five senses. The beginning of every day is welcomed as a new chapter of joy with their infectious enthusiasm infusing the entire household.

When they have exhausted their energy, they rest and allow their internal ‘batteries’ to recharge. Time out is just as important as giving your all; you can’t do one without the other.

As part of their house-training, they receive gentle reprimands for using the carpets as toilets. They are quick to pick up on the change in my tone and appear to register that they haven’t received their adopted mother’s blessing. However, a minute later one could assume that I had given them treats as they continue to shower me in love. They may not have liked, or at this stage even understood, my tone, but that doesn’t affect how they feel about me.

Unconditional love is true love.

“Dogs are minor angels, and I don’t mean that facetiously. They love unconditionally, forgive immediately, are the truest of friends, willing to do anything that makes us happy, etcetera. If we attributed some of those qualities to a person we would say they are special. If they had ALL of them, we would call them angelic. But because it’s “only” a dog, we dismiss them as sweet or funny but little more. However when you think about it, what are the things that we most like in another human being? Many times those qualities are seen in our dogs every single day– we’re just so used to them that we pay no attention.” ~ Jonathan Carroll