Joy is one of the most important life lessons

He is smiling up at me with that big tooth grin that says, “I love you, mama.” Or maybe, “I want to play.” Whatever it is, my heart fills with joy.

But as quickly as the touching moment begins, it ends, as this loving boy gets distracted by something in the grass. He takes off as fast as his legs can move him toward the end of the back yard, ready for a chase.

Then, the dune grass rustles. It’s a deer, about 25 yards away, who suddenly breaks free of his frozen stance and starts prancing away. This puts my boy, Benji, into action. He sprints into the dunes, whipping through the grass so fast you can hear the “swoosh” of the reeds. His head and tail poke above the grass every once in a while as he runs and bounces after the deer.

A minute or so later, he comes bounding out of the dunes, which extend from our backyard to the beach and the ocean beyond, toward the lawn. His tail is wagging like a fast-tempo metronome, and his big toothy smile beams, his tongue sticking out as he pants loudly from his exercise burst.

“Did you get the deer?” I ask, in what I now realize is my “Benji” voice.

His tail wags in pure delight as he whines his reply. I translate this to say, “No, mama, I didn’t catch the deer, but did you see how fast I ran?”

This rescue dog rescued me during Covid 19

Benji is a purebred Plott Hound we rescued from the local animal shelter. He did not grow up on the coast, but he has quickly become an ocean dog. He loves nothing more than chasing seagulls and jumping through the waves on the beach where we are blessed to live.

When we first brought Benji home from the animal shelter, he shook with fear and anxiety. When we tried to get near him, he would put his tail between his legs, bow his head, and make his body as small as possible. It was heartbreaking.

I spent the first 48 hours mostly just sitting or lying near him. I read everything I could about helping dogs with anxiety or those previously abused. Like with humans who have been mistreated, he needed to rebuild trust with humans.

At 3 am on the second day, he slowly moved next to me and let me put the leash on him, so we could go outside. He was probably tired of relieving himself on our deck. We figured we could wash it down once he settled.

By day three, he and I established a routine. Early morning walk, breakfast, late morning walk, rest time, and afternoon dog treat. He still did not let me pet him but he at least let me put the leash on and off. Once we were outside walking, his tail perked up.

We had a moment at some point during those first few days. After our morning walk, he came up to me when I was taking off my shoes, and he put his head between my legs. He let me pet him, rubbing his ears. He just let his head hang on my leg. We connected.

Both of us are learning new dog tricks

It’s been a few weeks now, and I can’t imagine life without this beautiful, loving rescue dog. Beyond our daily routine, we have established our own communication and signals. He has learned so many new words and hand motions.

He knows sit, stay, wait for me, stop, good boy, deer, horse, friend, JR (the UPS guy), and much more.

And while he still does not let anyone else touch him, I can touch him all the time, anywhere. He now allows me to brush him, although when he sees the brush in my hand, he still lies down as if I’m about to beat him. However, once I start brushing him, he closes his eyes in bliss.

He is slowly becoming less afraid of other people, especially men. He plays stick and chase with anyone who will run around with him and bark. Yes, he almost never barks except when playing, but he likes it more when the humans bark back at him. He and I also have a growling game when we play tug of rope.

Simple life lessons that humans sometimes forget

Amid it all, I find I laugh more, including all out giggling, when I’m with Benji. It’s like being around a young child, who is so filled with wonder and joy for the world. Simple joys are found each day.

When I thought about what I have learned from my rescue dog, I discovered seven life lessons about joy, trust, energy, and being present in the moment. Benji helps me remember to shine my light each day.

Life Lesson 1: Any stick will do

While Benji does have his favorite sticks, he is happy with just about any stick, as long as he can find a way to hold it in his mouth while he runs through the ocean. It can’t be too heavy or too long, and if it has a little twist in it, even better. Sometimes, as humans, we struggle to accept anything or anyone that we don’t perceive as “perfect.” We need the perfect house, the perfect car, the perfect job. But in fact, we really don’t. Sometimes, good enough is really enough to bring us joy.

Life Lesson 2: Rainy days are just wet, but still good days

As Benji’s breed needs a lot of exercise, we go out in all weather. Whether it’s pouring rain or just misting, cloudy or foggy, or bright sunshine, we are out the door around 5 or 6am for our first and longest walk of the day. I just change what I wear. Rain coat, waterproof gloves, baseball cap, or my mosquito-repelling sweatshirt. Regardless, Benji acts as if it’s the best day of his life. The only part about rain that stops his smile and tail wagging is the dry off routine once we are home. However, even when he sees the towel, he now just sits or lies down on the porch and patiently waits as I attempt to dry him off.

Life Lesson 3: Bacon makes it all better

Perhaps you already know this lesson. Sure, I put bacon in a lot of recipes before I knew Benji. But with him, bacon takes on a whole new level of love. I know a lot of dogs like people food, but I’ve never seen a dog love bacon the way Benji does. He usually gets some bacon mixed in with his dog food for breakfast. He really loves eggs with his bacon, but that’s only for special treats. Before you judge me, let me assure you I only feed him sugar free, organic bacon. So, it’s totally fine, right? And did you know that you can have the butcher (or buy Hempler’s brand) wrap up the bits and left over pieces at a much cheaper price than sliced bacon?

Life Lesson 4: Mama knows best

I have never seen any creature smile at me the way Benji does, as he comes running to greet me when I come back home. Well, maybe when my children were babies, they would give me that look as I held them in my arms. It doesn’t matter if I’ve been gone five hours or five minutes, he wants a big hug and petting when I return. All my husband has to say is, “Mama’s home,” and Benji perks up with a big grin and takes off to find me. Like with humans, Benji knows mama is the one you go to when you don’t feel good, when you’re sleepy, or when you’re hungry. And somehow, I know the difference in his looks and his whines.

Life Lesson 5: A walk (or run) along the ocean makes everything better

The ocean has always been my happy place, but somehow Benji makes walks on the beach even more joyful. Other than the first day, when he tentatively stuck his toe and nose in the water, and quickly jumped back, he now runs into the waves and dances in the water. He washes his stick and plays his own game with the stick, dropping it in the water and chasing it as the wave pushes it into shore. His favorite part of chasing birds is when they fly over the water, and he has to follow them into the waves, even though I’m sure he realizes he can’t catch them. I have to agree, it’s impossible not to laugh or feel joyous running through the water in rubber boots or my bare feet.

Benji chasing seagulls on the beach

Life Lesson 6: Always be curious and try anything once

Benji is an explorer. Each sound, smell and movement brings fresh interest and the need for exploration. My favorite Benji look is when he cocks his head to one side as if he’s asking, “what are you talking about?” Also, like most dogs, Benji will try anything once. Be it learning to walk through the cold ocean water or trying a new food. I appreciate his adventurous eating spirit as he delicately bites on ocean grasses, devours bones, or savors a bite of horse poop. Another animal’s poop seems to be a delicacy as well as a favorite target for rolling his body. I don’t get the poop thing, but I do love that Benji is an eater. Beyond the above mentioned bacon, Benji wants to try everything we have and what’s in the wild at least once.

Life Lesson 7: Take a lot of naps

I admit I have always loved naps. However, I rarely have a chance to nap much anymore. Benji is a skilled napper, and I love those Saturday afternoons when we both lie down in the living room, me on the couch and him on his dog bed, and snooze for an hour or so.

When we wake up, we are both ready for a little snack, some water, and yes, another walk to the beach. Or at least around the block. I needed a reminder to slow down and enjoy a little nap.

We could all use more innocence and joy

It’s a long road ahead until Benji grows grow out of his anxiety and fears from whatever horrible situation he experienced before he joined our family. However, even with those leftover fears, he spends most of his days smiling and enjoying life. And every day, he gets a little bit better.

Through it all, Benji brings joy and laughter at the times we need it most. Whether it’s running around in circles in the sand dunes, chasing the seagulls at full speed on the beach, or throwing his bone up in the air as he plays a game of chase with himself around the yard.

Enjoying life’s simple joys. What a valuable life lesson that is for us all.