Reiki Precepts Exemplified in an Old Dog

     My old dog is like a siren except without a song that beckons me. Instead, she calls to me with her snores and asks that I join her on the sofa. I spend hours each day beside her. 

     I realized that she embodies the Reiki precepts in her own way.  I learn a lot from simply stopping and watching animals in their natural habitats. However, my old rescue dog has taught me some invaluable lessons on the importance of reclaiming joy.

My dog, daily, is the epitome of the Reiki Precepts. I need no reminder of how to live out the precepts other than watching her greet each day.

I WILL NOT WORRY

Recently, she went through a bout of illness. Despite multiple visits to the veterinarian’s office, each time, she would happily get out of the car, grin at all of the staff and enthusiastically wag her whole body when the vet examined her.

I WILL NOT ANGER

Before she came to live with us, she had a different owner. She spent the first nine years of her life, outside, chained up, and received no medical care. She was finally rescued by humane law enforcement for cruelty and neglect.After a few days of living with us, my husband said, “Why is this dog always happy? Why is she always smiling? I’ve never met a dog so happy all the time.”. I replied, “That’s just who she is. She embodies happiness and content.”.  

I WILL BE GRATEFUL

My dog exhibits endless gratitude. She waits for us before she walks upstairs. She makes sure that if one of us falls behind on our daily walks, that the rest of us wait up for the one lagging. She politely waits for a treat. She stares intently at us and just likes to watch us. She’s happiest when the entire family is together. When we hug each other she has to be a part of the hug.

I WILL DO MY WORK WITH HONESTLY

Each day, she joyfully greets everyone in the family. Throughout the day, she takes time out to spend, individually with each family member. She walks from room to room. Lays down beside each of us and makes sure we know that she loves us all equally. We now have to sleep with our bedroom doors open. At night, she needs to freely walk and sleep in each room. She wants to check on each of us during the night and there are times that we wake up because there is a dog nose pressed up against ours, checking to make sure that we are sound asleep.

I WILL BE KIND TO EVERY LIVING THING

Today, and many other days, I open up the back door and spy a squirrel in our yard. My dog sees the squirrel and slowly walks in the other direction to lay down in the sun. She sits and listens to the birds sing. She watches butterflies pass her. She simply wants to lay down in the grass and breathe in the air.I hope you can find some small joy in this take of the Reiki Precepts. I know she doesn’t have an understanding of the concept of Reiki, but there is no doubt, in my mind, that my old dog is a shining star of Universal Energy and Love.