10 Important Life Lessons My Dogs Have Taught Me

I love dogs. I love dog people. I also love cats but I mainly love dogs. Honestly, if you don’t love dogs, you’d better have a good reason because quite frankly they’re nothing short of angels without wings.

I’m lucky enough to have two mini dachshunds in the family: Monty (7) & Frida (2). Yes, they’re as sweet as their names suggest. They’re my mum’s pups and they are totally spoiled, a joy to be around and cute AF. If a little barky at times.

I’ve just had the pleasure of dog-sitting them for 5 days and nearly shed a tear when it was time to hand them back. These tiny doxies are two of my favourite souls in the entire world and over the years, they’ve taught me so much just by being themselves. Inspired by my time with them, I decided to reflect on what they’ve shown me and how to stay pawsitive, even when life gets ruff. Sorry.

Here are 10 important life lessons I’ve learned from my furry friends:

1. Live for Today
   Dogs don’t stress about tomorrow or get hung up on what happened yesterday. They don’t even understand the concept of time for barking out loud! Unless there’s a dog out there reading this who understands Interstellar... in which case, my bad. They’re all about living in the moment, whether they’re sprinting after a B.A.L.L. (If you know, you know) or chilling by your side. Watching them has taught me to let go of overthinking and enjoy the here and now, savouring each experience as it happens.

2. Love Without Limits
   No matter how my day is going or what mood I’m in, my dogs greet me with unwavering love, wagging tails and the occasional excited pee. Whether I’ve been gone for 5 minutes or 4 hours, they act like I’ve been gone for days, completely beside themselves with joy when I walk in the door. Their loyalty and affection are a constant reminder that love should be unconditional, freely given and without judgment. Their love and affection reminds me to bring more compassion and kindness into my relationships... though maybe without the whole “I need to be within 3 feet of you at all times” thing. Bit too clingy for my liking.

3. Find Joy in the Simple Things
   My dogs find excitement in the simplest things: a new toy, a belly rub or the magical words "is it time?" (They know this means food is coming and can barely contain themselves). They’ve taught me that happiness doesn’t always need to come from grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s just about celebrating the small stuff. For them, a bowl of biscuits is a cause for celebration. For me, a bowl of M&S biscuits is a cause for celebration.

4. Prioritise Rest
   Do dogs ever feel guilty about resting when they want or need to? Do they heck. Mine sure don’t. One of them especially loves a lie-in and will get slightly snarly if you try to disturb his slumber. Whether it’s a quick nap or an XL snooze sesh, they’ve mastered the art of relaxation and recharging. Watching them has taught me to listen to my body, embrace rest and let go of the constant pressure to always be "on" and productive.

5. Stay Curious
   Every walk with my dogs is an adventure for them. They’re always up for getting outside and exploring new territory (except maybe if it’s raining). Their curiosity has inspired me to see the world with fresh eyes and reminded me to hold on to my sense of wonder. I read somewhere that dogs sniffing is similar to reading a newspaper because it's how they learn about the world around them. So I let them sniff every tree and inspect every corner. I even let them pick the route based on their noses—unless there’s a sheepdog in sight. They really, really don’t like sheepdogs. Lord knows what they’re saying in barks and woofs but I don’t think it’s very flattering. Hopefully the sheepdogs can learn to…

6. Forgive and Move On
   See what I did there.

   When I’ve accidentally stepped on a paw (that yelp will haunt me forever) or said no to a treat, my dogs don’t hold it against me. They forgive instantly and go back to being happy and playful. They’ve shown me that holding grudges is unnecessary and that forgiveness is liberating for both the giver and the receiver. Side note: there’s also value in being a bit more elephant than dog at times. Learning to forgive but not always forget can be just as important.

7. Celebrate Routine
   Dogs thrive on routine. Whether it’s their daily morning walk or dinner at exactly 16:30 (mine are very particular and daylight savings really got on their wick—if only they understood time!), they approach it with the enthusiasm of a brand-new experience. Watching them has taught me to find joy and contentment in the rhythms of daily life, rather than viewing them as boring, repetitive tasks. Their ability to celebrate the ordinary reminds me to embrace the small moments and appreciate the little things that make up my day.

8. Be Loyal
   Dogs are the epitome of loyalty. Anyone who has a dog in the family knows this. They stand by you through your happiest moments and darkest days, without hesitation (trying not to get too emotional here, sniff). Their unwavering commitment reminds me to be just as dependable and supportive for the people I care about, always showing up for those who matter most.

9. Show Gratitude Often
   Whether it’s a pat on the bot, a tiny piece of cheese or a nap on my lap, my dogs always express their gratitude with a wagging tail, a lick or, on occasion, a long snoot across my mouth and nose, blocking all airflow. While I wouldn’t recommend these methods for human interactions, they’ve taught me the value of showing appreciation, whether through words or actions, and always appreciating life’s small blessings.

10. Keep Play in Your Life
    My doggos have always loved to play. Tug of war, fetch, hide & seek—you name it, they’re up for it. They’ve taught me that play is key to staying young at heart. It’s not only great for stress relief but it also keeps life in balance. They remind me that the best way to live is to let go and enjoy the fun moments because, let’s face it, we all need more of those.