The Pug Life – Four Years of Love, Happiness, and Entrepreneurial Lessons

Looking back, I can’t help but smile emotionally. How time passes. . How every element that we come across has lessons in store for us. . We just have to realize and explore.

It was four years ago on this day that my bundle of joy descended onto earth. A few weeks later when I held him in my arms, who knew that this squishy face with a button-nose would influence me in ways that I never thought possible? Who knew he would teach me so much about life and work without ever uttering a sound? He sprayed my life with snorts and nibbles, of course, but this little angel also taught me lessons without even trying.

I am writing this to share what Neo (my pug) taught me and you’ll see why dogs are called “angels.”

It is okay to be scared as long as it doesn’t interfere with your work

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the understanding that there is something more important than fear. Neo is terrified of strangers. (Ahem. Yes.) However, he doesn’t let that stop him from barking away when a stranger approaches our apartment floor. He does his duty of alerting us and backs off. When someone comes home, he continues to bark from a distance or seats himself between my legs for safety, eyeing the strangers suspiciously.

Entrepreneurship can be daunting. There are many risks involved. It is natural to be scared. If you let the fear interfere with your work, though, you will set yourself up for failure. Be scared but don’t let that affect your practicality when it comes to work.

Don’t take crap from anyone. Yes, anyone.

Neo is the most patient being I have ever come across but that doesn’t mean I can give him a tough time. He lets me dress him up when I want to. He lets me disturb his sleep. (Oh, I am so bad.) He lets me play with him when he is not up for it as well. But, the moment he is annoyed he will walk away and find another place to rest. He won’t put up with my crap. (He even growls at me when I won’t leave him alone. Geez.)

Entrepreneurship requires similar attributes. Be patient but do not let it go overboard. Do not let it stretch to the point where people take advantage of you. This includes customers and clients. Stand your ground no matter what.

Sleep is the best cure.

Neo sleeps a lot and he won’t let anything get in the way! He sometimes ignores guests in order to catch up on sleep. He just sniffs around for the best spot in the house, drop, and start snoring. I am not saying you should do exactly the same but I noticed how refreshed he feels after waking up. Sleep takes away your stress for at least a short period of time and when you wake up, you are rejuvenated and active. He has newfound energy that makes him run around the house for no reason and snort all over you. Likewise, you will have newfound energy to tackle a problem or task in a better way. Sleep and I have been enemies for quite a while now but Neo has changed that. I realize that sleeping is not just necessary, it is highly recommended. We deserve to forget stress and drama for a few hours everyday, don’t we?

Also, only when you get enough rest will you be healthy enough to lead. Being awesome tires Neo out and he resorts to sleeping to refresh. You can be on par, too, if you allow yourself to relax and come back with all guns blazing!

Practice. Do not preach.

Ah, don’t you want to say this to a number of people around you? I do. We have too many preachers, self-acclaimed teachers and mentors, who have advice about everything under the sun. Relationships, entrepreneurship, finance – you name it and they’ll dole out their gyaan for you without even being asked. When you take a closer look you will know that these are the same people who believe in preaching without practicing.

It is said that the best lessons are learnt without being taught. The best lessons are learnt through observation. Neo is proof to that. He doesn’t teach me about patience. (He waits for me to get home patiently and then drowns me in snorts. He growls at me initially for going away but I shall let that pass.) He doesn’t teach me about loyalty. (None shall pass without being subjected to Neo’s scrutiny – from a distance.) He doesn’t teach me about being a good person. (He is loving, forgiving, and simply amazing!) He just exists and every time I look at him I apprehend how relentless he is at these things. Nothing will stop him from being who is. Living with him for four years has taught me all this and he doesn’t even know about it! The same goes with entrepreneurship. Leaders don’t preach. They let their work do the talking. The more you preach, the less enthusiastic employees will be. Lead from the front – do it. They will learn from what you do.

Understand and empathize even when you don’t know why

There were times when I was crying silently and he suddenly appeared to sit by me. I have no idea how dogs can sense sadness and distress but they do it so wonderfully. He doesn’t know what’s bothering me and he doesn’t know of the pain I am going through but he will sniff the negativity and sit by me. He even lets me cuddle him (he hates it under normal circumstances) a little and licks my ear.

When my brother was leaving for Dubai, I was crying uncontrollably at my desk and there he was trying to jump on me to tell me everything would be okay. :’) Incidents such as these have occurred time and again, strengthening my belief that dogs are indeed God’s special little angels. I am sure I don’t need to explain how leaders must also be empathetic and understanding.

Neo turns four today and I can’t remember a day when I did not thank the heavens for him. He is the one element that has stayed constant in this world of traumatic change. He is my little ball of fur and happiness, my angel. I will always, always be grateful for the day he adopted me.

Happy Birthday, Neo! You are my heart and soul.

About Me

I am the founder of Ingenious Aces, a content development startup. I am a fierce animal lover and I strongly believe that the best things in life walk on four legs! You can get in touch with me through Facebook or LinkedIn. My Twitter Handle is: @kritikaponia. I hope you learnt something from Neo just like I did. J