They say that “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” I think back to the chewed table legs, shoes, and paw prints tracked across my childhood. I realize Josh Billings wasn’t just talking about affection. He was talking about a masterclass in humanity.

Growing up with a dog isn’t just about having a playmate. It’s about having a four-legged silent tutor. This tutor teaches you the stuff they don’t cover in school. There are so many lessons learn along the way, taught by first fur baby Chiqui, Jolas, Mango, Tyson, Kiwi, Lumi, Callen and now Greta! Through my 40 years of existence I was and always been a fur mom. So what are those life lessons that my former and current fur babies have taught me? Let me enumerate them.

1. The Weight of a Leash: Responsibility

When I was nine, my godfather gifted me a puppy on my birthday. I named her CHIQUI, she’s a beautiful reddish brown mut. Apparently my godfather didn’t just give me a puppy; he gave me a job description at an early age. A dog depends on you for the most basic tenets of survival—food, water, and that regular belly rub and run inside the house. (We lived in an apartment and the neighborhood is so busy and has no park, so I don’t have a chance to walk her.)

I quickly learn that another living being’s comfort is more important than your desire to hit the snooze button. I learnt and built at an early age about accountability. I realized that being “busy” isn’t an excuse when someone is counting on me.

2. Paws and Patience

Charles Schulz famously said, “Happiness is a warm puppy,” but he forgot to mention that happiness often involves cleaning up a shredded table and chair legs! Oh yeah.. my labrador pup Mango chewed them all.. he left for rainbow bridge already but the mark on our dining table and chairs kept reminding me of that lovable yet naughty boy.

Training a dog is an exercise in frustration management- I should know, been there and done that. You can’t explain to a cuddly hyperactive Labrador Retriever why he shouldn’t bark at the people or stray cats passing by our house  using logic. You have to use repetition, calm energy, and time.

Growing up with a dog taught me that progress is rarely a straight line. It’s a series of small wins and messy setbacks. It made me more patient, resilient adult who understands that growth takes time.

​3. The Language of Empathy

​Perhaps the greatest gift of a childhood dog is the development of an “emotional radar.” Dogs don’t use words; they use a tilt of the head, a whine, or a nudge of the nose.

I learnt to read a mood without a single sentence being spoken. Also became expert in reading non-verbal cues which I am using till now. As Anatole France put it, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” By learning to care for a creature that cannot speak, I developed a deep, intuitive empathy for people who may be struggling in silence. (Oh that’s probably the reason why I am the person my friends seek when they are suffering silently).

​4. An Anchor in the Storm

My Adolescence is a whirlwind of performing well in school, fitting in with groups of friends and socializing. But to my dog, I was never the kid who failed to get a mark of 95% 😂 or felt awkward at a school dance. I was simply her person.

That unconditional love provides a psychological safety net. Knowing I am valued regardless of my “performance” in the real world builds a core sense of self-worth that is hard to shake.

Why It Matters

A child who grows up caring for a dog doesn’t just become a “dog person”—they become a better person. They emerge into adulthood with a gentler touch, a stronger back for carrying responsibility, and a heart that understands the value of loyalty. And I am speaking from my experience, the lessons all my fur babies taught me, I will never learn by simply reading self-help books.

So if you want to be a better version of yourself it’s never too late to learn from a pup 😉😘

Cheers!

Lyn💕