Dogs are the best kind of teachers because they teach us just by being themselves. No artifice, no theories; they pass on wisdom just by being. Here we talk to Hersch Wilson who refers to himself and his family as dog-centric. For many decades he has picked up advice and wisdom by the inclusion of dogs as part of his family. He describes the undiluted love of a dog when we come home after an absence, “You can have a stressful day but having a dog greet you just changes everything.” He also reminds us, “One of the most important lessons that dogs teach us is to get outside of your apartment or house. Even if it’s just to go around the block or to a city park, it’s vitally important, not only for the dog’s sake, but for your own health. We’re born to be outside, we evolved to be outside, we evolved to walk, we evolved to run. Our dogs motivate us to keep doing that.” Having dog and cat companions have much to teach us if we take the time to pay attention and open ourselves enough to listen and learn.
