With Love, lessons from dogs that apply to babies and life

I had long ago discovered that if I did things with love that the results were always better. Everything is less stressful if love is applied, love comes with patience and a forgiving eye, but love also comes with the right ingredients for positive change.

Then I realized the only times I really failed at things were times when I could not apply love to the problem.

And recently I have learned that sometimes things are so hard that they just feel like failure, but as long as love is there, one comes out the other end of the challenge whole...and not broken. Crying along side your baby... unable to make her happy...unable to let her "cry it out".

I used to feel sad for the dogs I have that other people discarded. But now I am grateful, as these dogs have been the challenging ones. And I have gotten through the challenges by letting my heart grow. And I know these dogs are happy, since they are loved.

Examples of "With Love"

**....how else can filling dog bowls be fun for a baby? Emma will probably know all the dogs names soon, as I sing each dog's name and a little compliment to them as I lay out the bowls, add the food and whatever else.

**Saying good night to each dog as Emma and I tuck in the kennel at night...

**Figuring out that Java Bean can get along with male play mates as long as he enters the play area last...no stress for him if dogs do not dash out their doors into his "space".
**Figuring out after two nights of no sleep that Emma's diaper was keeping her up...not sure how I was able to have analytical thought after that much lack of sleep.