The two dogs I’ve had in my life have given me valuable lessons on perseverance
When I think about perseverance and my little dog, Charlie, I think of this quote:
“When the world says, ‘Give up,’ Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.’
If you were to ask me what the most important trait successful people have, I would answer, “Perseverance.” When you do not give up you always have another chance to get what you want by the lessons we learn.
When I think about perseverance, I think of Charlie – a loving, patient little friend to everyone in my family. In many ways he looked like a puppy his whole life.
That is, until you looked closer.
Charlie became deaf in his old age, but he learned to adjust. A diligent watch dog, he was very confused and disoriented at first. Then, he lost his eyesight.
His great appetite for food and life remained and, even though he was blind and deaf, he still climbed up and down the stairs.
Going up, his muscle memory took over and he climbed as fast as ever. Going down the stairs required him to lean against the wall and take it one step at a time.
I was amazed every single day at Charlie’s perseverance. The thing is, he didn’t even know that he had the option of giving up. He just kept going forward and living for the moment, one step at a time.
After a good, long life of 16 years, my dog Charlie went to doggie heaven.
He kept climbing the stairs until 1 day before he traveled over the Rainbow Bridge. I miss him sleeping at my feet as I work, but I will also keep being inspired by his will to live every day to the fullest, no matter what obstacles I face.
So, when you get frustrated, think about Charlie and take life and the work you do one step at a time, and never, ever give up.
MEET DOODLE
After Charlie left us, our house seemed so empty. So, we added a new family member – Doodle, a white and black Havanese. He has one black ear and random black markings that look like someone “doodled” on him.
Life with a puppy also had it’s lessons.
Puppies don’t sit around and wonder if they are making the right move or what their best option is. They just attack life head-on. They make mistakes (plenty of them) but that’s how they learn. Doodle just wanted the best life has to offer him and he was willing to go get it, every moment he was awake.
Do you let your fear of making a mistake stop you from moving forward?
So many people wait for the exactly the right time to begin working on their dreams. The house has to be clean, the kids in school and every detail has to be perfect.
Instead, just start working on your ideas and goals. As you begin to work, you will find that your focus will change and you will get new ideas.
I remember the day Doodle learned to climb up and down the stairs. At first, he had no clue what to do and even fell down. But, with a loved one at the top cheering him on, he climbed up all 12 stairs without stopping! He puppy growled to himself on the way down to give himself courage.
If we didn’t let him try the stairs or if he had been too timid, he’d still be fenced-in behind the gate, wondering if he could do it. Today, he runs up and down those same stairs without hesitation, all day long.
The two dogs I’ve had in my life have given me valuable lessons:
- Start now
- Persevere
- Never, ever give up.
Just by following these simple principles, you’d be surprised how much you can learn and how far you can go in a very short time.
Just ask Doodle.
Georganne Fiumara is the author of author of How to Start a Home-Based Business to Become a Work-at-Home Mom (Globe Pequot Press). She has been featured in national magazines such as Woman’s Day and American Baby and more. She is an advocate for helping moms find ways to work online. You can learn more about Georganne by visiting  her website at HomeworkingMom.com.
This story of perseverance was written by Georganne Fiumara.
