A Dog’s Life #1: How to be more human – own a dog!

What makes the light shine brighter? Darkness. What makes life taste sweeter? Some bitterness. What makes a person more human? A dog.

Growing up in the early 80s in a tiny village in the Black Forest in Germany, my playground were the fields and woods; my best friend: our dog Sheila. Sheila was a companion, the best friend any child could have. We got her as a shelter dog, she was huge, a cross-bread of an Afghan hound and a Newfoundland – at least that’s what we believed. In the winter she loved playing in the snow, in the summer we took her to a local lake for a swim – always on a lead – she had a strong instinct to chase and more than once she escaped due to the smell of a rabbit I believe. On those afternoons, we spent hours looking for her, calling her name, fearful that she ran into the woods and might never come back. Thankfully, Sheila was smart and after a bit of a ‘chase-escape’ she’d come home and wait in front of the house to get back in.

Loyalty creates legacy

What made Sheila so special? Sheila displayed all the behaviours that we value in a mensch, she had a noble character. She was loyal, she was loving, she was patient, she saw the best in people, and she never judged. When after a long and happy life, we had to put her down due to a bad illness, my dad was crying for days. To this day, her photo is pinned to his antique desk (apparently the correct terminology is escritoire); and no dog will ever be able to win his heart again. She set the benchmark very high, she created a lasting legacy and is still loved and treasured twenty years’ after passing away.

Sheila got be best out in people, especially my dad. He was definitely more human as a result of our four-legged family extension. At times I thought, he was kinder and more generous to the dog than us kids – perhaps because Sheila never talk back and only communicated with her huge brown velvety eyes and smile. Ever since leaving home, I missed having a dog. I coined the tagline: ‘A life without a dog, is a dog’s life’ and had a dog on my vision board for more than fifteen years.

The power of visualisation

Finally, exactly two weeks’ ago, on my 12-year London anniversary I collected Harriet, my Cavapoo puppy. It was not a quick decision to get a dog. It has been in the making for the past eight years. In fact, eight years’ ago I wrote on a piece of paper

‘I will have a Cocker Spaniel called Harriet’

Because I really really believe in visualisation and manifestation. While she didn’t turn out to be a Cocker Spaniel, a Cavapoo is a relatively similar breed, a cross between a Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel and a Poodle (a miniature poodle in her case). And to her name, Harriet means ‘ruler of the house / home or estate’. I thought it’s a pretty fitting name for this bundle of fur that already captured my heart and keeps me on the straight and narrow.

HRM = happiness, resilience & mindfulness

While many new puppy owners set up an Instagram account for their pooch, I decided to go further because my dog is not just a pretty face. So, I decided to write about my adventures with Harriet in a regular column. How she is changing my life (notably increase in happiness, more resilient, more self-aware and more mindful); what I am learning about myself (I am more patient than I thought, I don’t trust people that don’t like dogs) and how Harriet is touching the lives of others.

In just the first two weeks’ of Harriet living with me, we heard twelve times ‘She made my day’ from strangers that saw her, played with her, cuddled her.

From portfolio managers, to junior lawyers, to staff in a local store, to the lovely lady in the post office who would have never remembered me would it not be for Harriet, to a partner in a law firm, to an elderly lady in the park, to a widow in my neighbourhood…within just two weeks’ Harriet already made so many people happy. She was worth every penny and more.

The ROI of this treasured dog radiates way beyond my immediate energy field.

You can actually see how people faces soften, how their breathing becomes calmer and how their heart rate drops as they engage with her, hold her, cuddle her and play with her. If you are stressed, anxious, if you feel under a lot of pressure – sometimes the best thing to do is, press ‘pause’, take a time out and play with a dog. Just 10 minutes can make a huge difference on your mental health, promoting a higher level of happiness, resilience & mindfulness.

We hope you enjoyed this first edition of ‘A dog’s life.’ If you like to see some more photos, please follow us on IG: harriet_of_london. And if you are interested in learning more about the positive impact a dog can have on your own mental health, the power of paws in a work context, please PM me for a 1:1.

Much love from Nora + Harriet!

I am Nora Stolz, tech entrepreneur, positive psychology coach for executives and entrepreneurs and Vinyasa Yoga teacher. I live with my 4-month old Cavapoo puppy in Marylebone, Central London. In my monthly column ‘A Dog’s Life’ I write about our urban adventures and what I learn about human interactions and society thanks to my four-legged fur baby.

If you are interested in discovering the power of strengths-based coaching, contact me: norastolz.com