Random Acts of Kindness

Most of you are aware of the movement Random Acts of Kindness.
If not, or you want to learn more, click here.

Did you know words of encouragement are an act of kindness?  I'm not sure if it is technically listed, but yesterday a stranger shared random words of encouragement.... and it was very kind of her.

I and my three children were coming out of PetSmart with 4 month old Hershey in tow.  Hershey wore a new collar (the clasp broke on the old one) and sported a nifty contraption called the halti.  (picture here or video here)  Hershey did not care for the strap across the bridge of his nose and kept pawing at it vigorously all the way to the van.

 Following us out PetSmart was a woman and her teenage daughter.  When we arrived at our van they paused  and she blurted out,  "We have a halti for our lab and it works really well".
I turned to face her and asked,  "Did your dog like it at first?"
"No.  But she got used to it quickly and now we have no problem putting it on her."

She smiled.  I smiled and said how thankful I was she spoke up.

It was reassuring to know Hershey would get used to the halti and it was not going to be torture for me putting it on him, or torture for him to wear the thing.

It took that woman 30 seconds to randomly speak up. Uninvited by me.  She could have kept silent knowing the risk I might rebuff her for intruding.  But she didn't and I'm so glad because for me, her intrusion turned that unsure, new puppy-mommy moment into a positive one.  I had made the right decision for our puppy/family.   Now Hershey won't yank on his neck so hard it leaves red marks - or drag my little children into the street.

Thank you, kind stranger, for choosing to speak up with random words of encouragement!  It brightened my afternoon.

Lessons from a Dog

I've been the proud owner of a puppy 4 weeks now.
In case you missed it, Meet Hershey, a now 3 month old English Setter.

How Hershey has been good for me:

1) Gets me up in the morning.  I can't sleep in if I want to.  I can't tell him to fetch a granola bar snack, buying me an extra 20-60 minutes of snooze time, like I've done with the kids.

2) Exercise.  Sure, due to the fact Hershey isn't old enough to run yet, and I don't want to kennel him right after being kenneled all night, I've been neglecting my morning jog.  But he does make sure I take him on two - 20 minute daily walks. 
(yes, I know.  I could run in the evening.... but I'm happy using Hershey as an excuse for another week or so)

3) I'm a better Mom.  I'm reminded that consistent, positive reinforcement is the best training method.

4) I feel loved.  Hershey Kisses are great :) (not on the face, though)



Any dog owners out there with stories of how your pet has blessed you?