This is my pup Charlie.
He’s five months old, loves every human and dog he encounters and has an unparalleled lust for life.
He’s also a little devil. He’s obsessed with finger-nibbling, pooping and peeing in inappropriate places and eating things he shouldn’t. He’s a lot to handle, and for that reason people (and dogs) quickly get overwhelmed by him - and understandably so. He’s a little ball of terror with a ridiculously cute exterior, no doubt about it!
That said, Charlie has one particular quality that I’ve grown to admire more and more each day:
The kid don’t quit.
My family cat, Prince, despises him and constantly bops him on the head, but Charlie, infinitely curious and forgiving, continuously tries to befriend him. Our bop count must be in the hundreds at this point. Most of the dogs we meet are older and don’t have the patience (nor energy) for a pup like Charlie, but he’s always instigating and trying to get them to play with him. He doesn’t seemed to be phased by barks, snarls and growls. Most people can handle five minutes with Charlie before having enough (myself included sometimes), but that’s not nearly enough for him. Despite the admonitions and scoldings, he continually tries to jump, eat or kiss everyone he crosses paths with. No matter how positive or negative the interaction, he always cries when someone leaves the room.
Sure, some of this can be chalked up to puppyhood, but the boy’s sheer determination and desire for affection and play is astounding. He’s a little love missile, firing off regardless of whether or not the world is ready for him. It’s frustrating and it’s tiring, but it’s also one of the most amazing things about him. From this I have learned so much. For most of my life I saw myself as an introvert who didn’t want to ruffle any feathers. Despite how high and mighty I wanted to think of myself, the truth is it caused more suffering than it prevented. I missed many opportunities, inhibited by invisible walls of my own creation. For Charlie, there are no walls, no barriers. There is no try - only do. That’s exactly how I’ve always wanted to be.
I like to think that love is the guiding force that leads him. Love means so many things to so many people, and for me Charlie’s passion for life is certainly included in its definition. Most of the time, he’s not looking to gain anything (unless there’s food involved). Most of the time, he just wants to play and be himself, and I think that’s the key to it all. I spent so much of my life with my walls up because I was so focused on myself and the things I perceived I wanted or deserved. When I didn’t get what I wanted I would quit, and from there the walls only grew. The more I focused on myself, the more introverted and blocked off I became.
Charlie has taught me the folly in that way of living. He’s taught me that affection and play are the secret elixirs of life. He’s taught me that the greatest sin is to quit being myself for even a second. He’s taught me that if I lead my life with love it will conform to me, not the other way around. Most of all, he’s taught me that being myself doesn’t mean making everyone happy all the time. Some people won’t like it, some people will get offended, some people may even get hurt - but that’s just a part of human life. I think it’s time I join Charlie on this new road of freedom.
Sometimes the path of least resistance is not the right path. That doesn’t mean acting selfishly. That doesn’t mean not leading with love. What it means is completely owning our uniqueness as individuals and not letting the world have much of a say in the matter.
That, my friends, is The Way of Charlie.