Shahid Naqvi: Life lessons learnt from man's best friend
I've learned a thing or two from my new dog.
Lesson one: sniffi ng (and this involves certain parts of the anatomy that are probably best not mentioned). This is what dogs do when they meet each other. It's a way of sussing out who's the top dog. It strikes me we do a similar thing when we meet. There are all kinds of calculations made, based on the firmness of handshake, eye contact, facial expression, accent and voice tone. What we are doing here is effectively the same as what dogs do - sussing out each other's place in the pack, who's dominant and who's submissive.
Lesson two: it's better out than in. Before I got Toby, I wouldn't contemplate going for a mile-and-a-half walk in the morning before work. Or, indeed, when I got home after a hard day at work. But Toby demands a walk. He knows what's good for him. And so I have to take him.
And you know what? He's right. It is good for you, body and mind, come rain and shine. I don't find it a chore anymore either. It just comes natural.
Lesson three: take a risk. I ummed and ahhed for ages before getting Toby. Would I be able to cope with the commitment? Would he be OK being left on his own for long periods of time while I was at work without destroying the house? Would he stop me ever going out again? There were those who said it was a bad idea.
In the end, however, I decided to take the plunge and give it a go. And so far it's proved a success. Which is a reminder that, as Del Boy used to say, "'e 'o dares, Rodney, wins".
Lesson three: time management. Another reason for not getting a dog was, like everyone else these days, I didn't think I had the time. But the strange thing is that it seems to have increased the length of my day. It's a bit like those annoying people such as Ben Elton who seem to be able to juggle being a TV celebrity, producing a West End musical, raising a family and still have time to write best-selling books. I think the point is that you end up filling up all those empty minutes that add up to hours which before you would have spent doing nothing.
Lesson four: trust. When I first took Toby out for walks, there were a couple of unpleasant incidents with other dogs and so I started keeping him on a lead. Which was a bit of a nightmare because every time he saw one of his canine brethren he'd be straining at his leash like a mad hound from hell. He obviously wanted to be free but I didn't trust him.
Eventually I got fed up of being dragged along and decided it was time to let him go again. And he's now much better. Mostly he'll just do the old sniffing thing when he meets another dog. Sometimes he'll bark at them. But generally speaking, he'll come when I call him.
Lesson five: give a little love. The reason Toby comes when I call him is because we've bonded. Basically, he knows I'm a nice enough sort of chap who will tickle him under the chin, feed him twice a day and play ball with him. So he's given me back his love in abundance. It's true what they say about dogs - they are man's best friend. Every evening when I come home he greets me with boundless enthusiasm. And he looks round lovingly at me while we're walking in the park to make sure I'm still there, his big wet tongue hanging out of his mouth.
Lesson six: nature versus nurture. Toby came from a dog rescue home, so was probably a bit disturbed. Reading up on the internet and speaking to people soon made me anxious about his nature. A dog's personality is developed from an early age they said. If you don't know his history, you're in trouble. But then I phoned a sensible dog lover who lives in Worcestershire who insisted dogs live for the moment. Treat them well and they'll be happy.
And I've found that to be true. Toby's a lot more chilled now because he's got a new healthy routine, gets attention and knows he's loved. Which brings me to the final lesson.
Lesson seven: live for the moment. Toby does. He doesn't dwell on his past. He doesn't worry about the future. Fed, watered and walked, he's happy with his lot and the simple things in life.
Of course, he is a dog. And therefore only has a small brain. Which helps.
