Turning One and Having Fun

On Tuesday, I turned one year old, and my life has already been a fun adventure. Leaving my mom, dad and eight siblings on the farm and moving to the big city was a big adjustment, but like Doc tells me, life is full of change, and you need to embrace it to live fully.

Famed psychologist, Abraham Maslow once said, “In any given moment we have two options, to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” As a puppy, I wanted to step back into safety, but Doc being a good mom, saw my potential to be a therapy dog and pushed me forward to face my fears and apprehensions. Although I still have a lot to learn and also need time to mature before I can take the test to be certified, I am headed in the right direction.  

If you remain open, people will show up in your life just at the right time to encourage you and point you in the right direction. It can be a parent, a coach, teacher, or even a friend you meet along the way. These are people that see your potential even when you don’t and help you to overcome your apprehension about trying new things or even going after a dream. Doc said she was blessed to have many mentors and family in her life that helped to push her forward when she doubted herself. She still cherishes all those relationships and now she is helping me. She sees my potential and doesn’t let me give up. After all we are a team.

Since you only turn one once, Doc is throwing me a birthday party at work today. She was trying to make it a surprise, but I saw the bag she brought home from the pet store last night and she was also busy making cupcakes for the humans.

As I move forward to year two, I will stay open to where the road leads me and lean on Doc anytime I need someone to nudge me forward.