Last weekend, my brother and I drove down passed Columbus at 5am in the morning to pick up a little yellow lab puppy to give to my father for Christmas. We arrived back a bit passed 2 and had my niece run up to my dad saying, “Paw-Paw, we got you a present!”. My other brother arrived with his wife and child, as well as my other sister-in-law. We were all smiles as we handed this sleepy, lazy pup over to my father who was all smiles as soon as he laid eyes on his new friend. For a brief second,  all the anticipation and excitment collided in that moment to major satisfaction of the true benefit of gift giving. The money we didn’t have, but gave anyway so that a man to could enjoy a dog. A man who never asks for anything, but gives and gives.

That brief moment was lost so quickly to my mother who quickly interceded her not so pleasant thoughts about the dog. Now, this would have provided us with somewhat of a downfall to our already upturned faces if it were not the fact that we all knew that she would respond in such a hostile way. It is sad to know that we were all taking bets to see how long the cattiness would step in and sarcastic comments would ensue. For a brief second 5 children and 2 grandkids looked at a woman who could not see a cute little puppy that always brings smiles to peoples faces, she saw a puppy that was flea and worm ridden, has fur that will clog up a vacuum and will probably chew up new pieces that she has added to the house since the other dogs that have passed on.

Isn’t it amazing how people’s minds react? Here we have been talking and planning for months now wondering where we could find this pet. At one moment, we could get my father something that we knew he’s wanted so bad and we could afford to work together and pitch in to make the man happy. Then, on the flip side, not be able to include my mother in the experience because of the condescending ways of her attitude. It wasn’t until later the same night she calls me. I ask how the new pup, Gus, is doing and she stated that he has already peed next to the chair. I found myself, lecturing my mother, “Dogs pee, especially when they are underdeveloped yet. Gus only needs to learn about where his place is in this family. For once, us kids have been able to provide something for our father who gives so much to us, so please don’t steal our joy.” It was at this time she proceeded to get off the phone rather quickly and has kept her mouth shut during the vet visits that now my father and I are going to together.

In one way, this new dog has allowed us to work together as a family, but in another way it has shown how a simple switch in attitude will make lives so much easier. That one bad attitude makes others not want to include them and then they will all commun together with something new in common. There are so many situations to get upset about and voice ones opinion on, a puppy is a very light easy issue to get over really quickly. Other situations can tend to hurt a lot more, or stick around for a lot longer. It’s how our attitude reflect our personalities at that moment that will shed light on how others perceive us. Am I saying that opinions are not valid and should not be spoken, absolutely not, but learn to state your opinion, take a deep breath and moved on to the next moment. Live your life how you want, but maybe look right across from you and see how happy anothers day.  How are they expressing their joy? How are they communicating? What is working for them?