You don't have to have a college degree to be wise. Sometimes the best lessons in life are learned from unlikely sources. One of those sources is our dogs. From their astute judgment of strangers to their uncanny ability to capture our hearts, dogs can be genuine teachers. Here is just a sampling of life lessons we can learn from our dogs.
"I was raised with parents who yelled when they were mad. So, unfortunately, I yell. My son plays tough and hides how yelling affects him, but the dog will come running over and cry. It reminds me that words can hurt far more than anything. My dog helps remind me to control my temper, and not raise my voice. My dog has helped me become a better mom." - Rissa Watkins, Phoenix, Ariz.
"If it's play time and you run into a wall almost hard enough to knock yourself out, shake it off 'cause its PLAY TIME!" - Megan Moore, Canton, Mich.
"I have learned forgiveness from dogs through doing rescue. No matter how they were treated, they still love humans and forgive them." - Gisele Gamble, Sugar Creek, Mo.
"You can never teach a former street dog NOT to steal food when she sees it; even if it's the dinner you've been cooking for the past hour." - Caitlin Hamelman, Arlington, Va.
"I have three dogs and no matter what time I get home, they are always at the door with tails wagging. Even if I feed them late, they still come back for more pets and ear scratching. The attention I give them - playing, walking, belly rubs - is returned ten-fold in their behavior towards me. People are much the same way. I find if I treat them kindly, with courtesy and love, they return in kind to me." - Jackie Dodson, Indianapolis, Ind.
"The best life lesson I've learned from my dog is that happiness is a choice." - Elizabeth Rasoul, San Francisco, Calif.
"I have learned from my dog Izibella about true loyalty and love for your family." - Jane Littleton, Walkersville, Md.
"It doesn't matter what has happened, how I look or smell, or if I'm upset or happy. No matter what, my girl is always right by my side, offering love and acceptance. No matter what." - Beth Metz, Canton, Mich.
"Raffle taught me that dogs understand a surprising amount of human speech. We just talk to him as if he is a human, and nine times out of ten he does what we expect him to do: go get in the car, pick up your toys, get off the bed..." - Cherise Kelley, Spokane, Wash.
"I learned from my dog Barney when I was a child that chocolate chip cookies could cure anything. Barney got sick and almost died. After a couple days of him not eating, things were looking pretty dire. I offered him a chocolate chip cookie (this was before it became common knowledge dogs shouldn't eat chocolate) and he ate it up and almost instantly started getting better." - Carol Gilbert, Silver Spring, Md.
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