My Dog, Lester, Inspires Me Every Day

I know, I know…what can a dog possibly teach you about life? A lot, actually.

See, my Maltese, Lester, is one of the most special creatures I have ever known. He is a great reminder of what it means to be inherently good.

We adopted Lester fifteen years ago, to keep my three-year-old Shi Tzu, Sammy, company when everyone was at work and school. See, at that point, Sammy was lonely and needed a friend. But Lester quickly became way more than just Sammy’s playmate. He grew into a source of joy and a reminder of the awe that is abundant in this world.

 

Every dog is different. I have known many dogs, all special in their own ways. One of Lester’s greatest gifts is his sweetness. In his fifteen years of life, Lester has never so much as growled at someone. He is excited to meet everyone that he comes into contact with, whether it is a tiny bunny or a grown human. He has no prejudices. He sees each of earth’s creatures the same and invites everyone he meets to play, usually with his prized hamburger squeak toy in his mouth.

Speaking of his hamburger, Lester is extremely loyal. He has gotten dozens of gifts since getting that toy as a puppy, but he always chooses the hamburger. It is his favorite, always has been, always will be. He forms bonds and sticks with them, whether they are with toys, animals, or people.

When I or a member of the family gets sick, he is loyal in the same way. The usually active little fellow will lay with them until they recover. I could bet anything that if he had thumbs, he would be preparing them soup and tea also.

Lester is also a fighter. He is fifteen, but no one who sees him ever believes it with his cheerfulness and energy. Not only is he considered an elderly dog, but just a few months ago, Lester could not even walk. He needed a wheelchair to get around.

But guess what? That little fighter worked with his wheelchair to bring back his strength.

I never thought I’d see him walk again, let alone run. Yet there he is, every day like clockwork, with his hamburger in his mouth begging to play and chasing anyone who will.

If you ever want to know what true inherent goodness looks like, look at Lester. Goodness in its purest form.

This tiny eight pound Maltese is the epitome of a being who sees the world as an amazing place and does his part to make it even better.

*And he remains adorable at all times.