Written by Celine Louie
Riding the wave alone is certainly not as fulfilling as riding with a furry companion at your side. A lover of animals I certainly am, as I’m sure most of you are too!
My co-riders include a large Bull Mastiff X with an oversized head. He’s big and dopey, and loves to release his bowels close to peoples feet- selecting the most unaware victim as his primary target. Despite his unorthodox bowel habits, he’s been my loyal companion for over a decade, proving his absolute dedication to riding the wave with me, only a few short months ago. He stayed by my side for well over a month as I rode the wave of illness, bedridden and at the lowest of the low, he gave me strength simply by staying, a constant reminder that I matter, and that I am loved.
Recently joining him is our very cheeky Rottweiler; she’s breaking records on possibly being the smallest Rotti ever to walk this planet, but what she lacks in size she makes up with the size of her heart, exploding out in big loveable licks, sneaking them in wherever she can. I never was a let-my-dog-lick-me–kinda-gal until she came into our lives, and proved they were worth the slop. Petrified of measuring tapes and almost anything that moves, the promised guard dog she certainly is not, but we love her for that. She lights up our lives and always puts a smile on our dial.
Companions don’t just stop at the domesticated animals we choose to have in our lives, for there are always the wild drop-ins that make us not feel so alone. A friendly butcher bird baby drops in for lunch, willy wag tails entertaining with their joyful swoops, a friendly green tree frog watching peacefully from above, his mate croaking from the depths of a drain-pipe, declaring his utmost happiness with the world. They are the sounds of home, a comforting reminder that whilst the waves may be chaotic out there, there is still peace in every moment if we allow ourselves to find it.
And so as we ride the wave each day, allow your heart to connect to the animals that surround you, for they are a reminder that we are all intricately entwined, that we are all important in this wide world. We all have a part to play, we all matter – no matter the size.
There are times in our lives when we may feel small, when we struggle to find the place where we fit, but let us be reminded that if a dragonfly can bring wonder and joy as it passes by unaware, you too are just as capable of lighting up the lives of those around you, simply by showing up and shining your light- no matter how bright you may feel at the time.
I couldn’t imagine living life without my fur babies, they give me reason to get up in the morning and their innocent antics allow my heart to stay open. They remind me that no matter what we do in life, what we accomplish, we are worth loving unconditionally. Simply having food, shelter and someone to love is a life well-lived. Animals have so much to teach us, if only we could walk in their paws for a day.