Rupert Knows: How My Dog Has Helped Me Learn to Live
Anyone who knows me, likely knows my dog — Rupert. Like most pets, Rupert has been a best friend of mine since November, 2006 and the bond only grew throughout the years and wherever I go, he typically goes, as well. Rupert lived through my undergraduate days in a house with five friends and became sort of a welcoming figure whenever people came over to our house on Lynnwood Ave.
Rupert and I would then embark on our own journey to my first teaching job in which we lived in a one-bedroom apartment with each other for a year. Rupert was always there whenever I had a tough day and he always seemed to know how I felt. That year, nearly every single night, he slept in my bed with me and he was always the first one to see me off in the morning and greet me whenever I got home in the afternoon/night.
After that year, Rupert began living with Skylar, Pongo (our other dog), and myself. Rupert was not a huge fan of Pongo’s at first, but he always let him be and eventually they grew closer. Rupert’s new housemate, Van loves having him around, as well. Rupert has been with me through my undergraduate experience and process of trying to grow up, my first teaching job, my Master’s/Specialist work, our move to Oregon, our move back to Missouri, my current job as a principal and everything in between. Rupert is family and everyone that comes into contact with him, typically leaves with a great impression. I’m so grateful that I always have a companion in him, no matter what.
Rupert is currently feeling much better from a medical crisis and we are working hard to try and get him back to the fullest of health. I have always known how much he means to me, but having him nearly die has brought about a lot of nostalgia and remembrance on how he was typically there every step of the way in the most crucial years of my life. Ultimately, like my friend — Andrew Green always use to sing/express…”Rupert Knows”.
Having Rupert the last ten years has taught me the following things:
Responsibility
Not only have I learned responsibility from having Rupert as a pet and having to care for him, but I have learned responsibility from his actions. A lot of times Rupert would have to go the equivalent of a work day without being able to use the bathroom and it was an extremely rare occurrence if he had an accident. To me that takes a lot of self-discipline and responsibility and anyone could learn from that.
To Take Risks
Rupert has never been one to sit back and observe…any lesson that he has ever learned has been from taking the risk whether it was a good idea, or bad idea, afterwards.
For instance, the way that he learned that he is not a big fan of swimming in deep water was by sprinting and diving into the lake. His “go for it” attitude has always been something that entertains us and sometimes makes us exhausted.
To Be A True Friend
Rupert has been the best companion I could ever ask for. Whenever I come in from a long day, he is always excited to see me (or whoever enters the house). He always wants to be close by and it always seems like he can tell whenever I am upset about something because he wants to stay near me.
Rupert has been everywhere with me and if it is accommodating to dogs, we take him with us. I’ve never had the heart to punish him, which has possibly made him a little less disciplined than some dogs, but he is the perfect companion in my biased opinion.
Unconditional Love
Again, to Rupert — Skylar and myself are his absolute world. There is nothing else taking up his time (like work) and he makes it clear to us that he loves being around us as much as possible. Most people reading likely know that the way our pets treat us can be uplifting. The love is unconditional and I encourage all of you to take the time to give that same love back to your pets. I know now that I need to make a better effort in the midst of my incredibly busy life to let Rupert know on a daily basis that he is loved.
