Dogs can teach us compassion
Dr. Bernie Siegel, in his book, 365 Prescriptions for the soul, has an interesting prescription on dogs, and what they can teach us.
He begins with a quote by Gilda Radner who had said, “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give us unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.”
Then he relates how he and his wife had been watching the Westminster Dog Show. As he writes: “They had a wonderful short segment about what we can learn from dogs. This reminded me (he says) of something I use in my lectures. I always read a list that asks: ‘Can you do without caffeine, eat the same food every day, judge all people the same, not bore people with your troubles, accept criticism without resentment? And so on’. Then I end it with ‘If so, you’re almost as good as your dog’.”
Siegel adds, “People have no idea that these questions will end that way because I read them in all seriousness. They laugh, but it isn’t really funny.”
He acknowledges that he was unable, because of time, to write down the list of dog qualities given on the program, but he says, “they also talk about greeting people with enthusiasm, making up after disagreements, taking a relaxing walk, and enjoying the moment.”
So he believes that dogs, by the way they respond to humans, demonstrate to us the way we should live if we want our community and world to be a better place in which to live. And he ends to prescription by saying, “A dog growl is one thing, but what people do to each other is quite another.”
Siegel himself has a dog, Furphy, whom he often takes with him. He is a small Lhasa apso who gets lots of attention and greetings when they are out walking.
In Siegel’s therapy groups, Furphy knows when the sessions have ended, because he lets Siegel know that “it’s time for a walk.” As Siegel says, “I point this out to group members, hoping they will follow his example, and learn to speak up when they have needs.”
He adds, “In one group, a man was sharing a tragic story about his cancer, when the room was filled with the sound of snoring. The speaker was very upset that someone would be so uncaring as to fall asleep while he was speaking about his anguish. When the listeners pointed to Furphy, the snoring culprit, the speaker and everyone in the room burst into laughter.”
So Siegel says, “Furphy is an excellent therapist who knows when a good laugh is needed, or when a little attention is necessary.” And he hopes that “we will be as kind to animals as they are to us.”
As Plutarch once said, “Were it only to learn benevolence to humankind, we should be merciful to other creatures.” May it be so for us! Harvie Barker is a Penticton resident and writer of inspirational messages. He’s the author of the book, A Good Word in Season Volume 8, now available at the front desk of The Penticton Herald for $10 with all proceeds to local charity.