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It’s fitting that I’m writing the second edition of Remy’s Realm on National Dog Day. I had no idea it was National Dog Day until I saw hundreds of pictures of dogs on Instagram tagged with #NationalDogDay.
Of course, I couldn’t let the day go by without sharing another cute photo of Remy, so I joined the masses celebrating their canine friends. But before National Dog Day was considered a day, I learned to be grateful for the many experiences I’ve shared with my beloved dogs through the years.
From Puff to Spencer to Gracie and now Remy, I’ve learned different lessons about life, love, relationships, and the power of resilience.
I will never forget Gracie’s Gifts; she was a part of my life when I needed unconditional love most. Now, I’m sharing Remy’s Realm, lessons learned from the exuberant puppy that wiggled his way into our hearts a few months ago.
As I’ve often noted, animals have a way of teaching us lessons that we may not learn otherwise.
Today, I’m sharing a new lesson from Remy’s Realm #2.
Remy’s Realm #2
When my family decided to adopt another dog, our hearts were heavy from the loss of Gracie, but we knew we had space to welcome another, and no time would erase the hurt of losing such a special dog.
The first few weeks after Remy’s arrival were like adjusting to the schedule of a newborn. The days were full and long, like the early days and months of parenthood.
Fortunately, Remy was a better sleeper than my son was when he was a baby! The first night home with a puppy is always the hardest, and Remy was no exception as he cried for hours, longing for the comfort of his litter mates and the sights and sounds he had known as home.
It didn’t take him long, however, to settle in. On the second night, exhausted from his travels and the overwhelming newness of his life, he curled up with his blanket and the little black stuffed dog with the besting heart that resembled his mom.
The following morning and every morning since, he greeted me like a long-lost friend he hadn’t seen in years. When I open the door of his crate, he bounds into my arms and hangs on as if he’ll never let go.
Exploring his surroundings and finding his comfort zone outside would take much longer and become a lesson in patience as I was accustomed to setting off on long walks with Gracie each morning.
For days, Remy stuck to us like glue. He was so tentative that he didn’t need a leash. If we took two steps from him, he ran to us and stepped on our feet, hoping it would keep us from moving again.
Slowly, he ventured around us and expanded his reach to the perimeter of the front yard. When he had explored every inch and came to trust that we weren’t going anywhere without him, he continued to the side yard, then the rear.
He soon realized how fun it was to run at fast speeds around the entire yard, so we thought he would enjoy exploring beyond the stone walls that served as the boundary of our property. But when I attempted to walk him past the wall, he’d plant his feet (and butt) and give me a look that told me no way!
For weeks, we walked back and forth along the wall, looking beyond it but not daring to venture outside it.
During this time, I longed to head down the street toward the water that glistened in the distance. I loved to walk into the sunshine and see the sparkling water unfold before me. The sight and sound of water have always been my saving grace and ground me in ways few places can. But Remy wasn’t ready to experience my favorite place.
He wasn’t ready to explore beyond his comfort zone, and I learned to accept that.
Just as I had to be patient with myself when social anxiety crept into my life, I needed to be patient with Remy until he found his footing. I learned to address my anxiety by taking small steps and giving myself the grace I needed when it was difficult to take any action. I accepted my limitations while learning to embrace and move beyond them. I needed to do the same for Remy.
Remy reminded me that we all have our limitations, and what’s typical for one person or dog may be far from it for the next. And that’s okay.
Remy may not have been suffering from social anxiety. Still, he was experiencing puppy anxiety and needed to feel safe and secure in one world before he ventured into another.
He needed time to find his comfort zone, and he’d let me know when he was ready. Until then, we’d run and jump inside the safety of the stone walls surrounding us.
Lesson #2 From Remy’s Realm:
No two people or dogs are alike. We all have our own needs, wants, fears, and worries. Learning to be patient with ourselves and others is an invaluable lesson we can all benefit from.
When things seem difficult, remember to give yourself the time and space you need to find your comfort zone.
Why Soulful Sunday?
I started The Power of Change to celebrate resilience and explore the potential to transform your life in meaningful ways.
Learning to be mindful is the first step. It helps you focus on what’s important every day.
Excellent description of the realities of introducing a new dog to your home. Thanks for being patient and kind!
I can relate to Remy, in due time we can push past our comfort zone. Fun read!