I’ve always grown up with dogs. They’ve been part of my family, my childhood, my everything. So when Sean and I talked about getting a dog, we both agreed… in theory. But we couldn’t settle on the breed. We wanted a big dog, but we live in a condo. Plus, I’m allergic and have eczema, so I needed a breed that doesn’t shed heavily.

Eventually, we landed on something small and hypoallergenic—our options were limited. Even then, the idea of commitment made both of us hesitate. What if we wanted to fly off somewhere? What about my extended stays back in KK?

Then MCO happened.

One day, Sean found a listing, called the guy, and he came over with two Shih Tzu sisters. We chose one based on our interaction, and the rest is history.

There’s actually a sweet story behind how Sean decided on that day that we were finally ready. It had something to do with sustainable joy, but I’ll save that for another time.

Today, I want to talk about what GG—our little furball—has taught me about life. Beyond love, here are a few quiet, powerful lessons she brought with her the moment she entered our lives:

Life lesson: Dogs don’t just bring love—they teach us how to live.

1. You Are Enough, Just the Way You Are

Why do we push ourselves so much to prove that we’re better, smarter, stronger, or more worthy than others?

Comparison is the thief of joy.

And somehow, GG reminds me daily that we are all enough. Just as we are.

She stares into nothingness, lying peacefully on the balcony, just being—and in that being, I feel her enough-ness. She doesn’t try to achieve. She doesn’t need to prove anything. And yet, she fills the space with love.

When you believe you’re enough, your actions come from a place of abundance instead of lack. That’s something she’s helped me embody.

2. Sit, Stare... or Meditate

I’m really glad Sean insisted on a lake-view condo right before COVID hit. That view kept us grounded during lockdown.

But let’s be honest—humans love their screens.

GG? She prefers the balcony. She lies there, calmly watching clouds drift by or birds fly past. Sometimes, she just stares into space.

Is she looking at the lake? Watching the clouds? I’m not sure. But when I sit beside her and look at what she’s looking at, I feel this strange, quiet peace.

If you’re reading this now, take this as a nudge:
Take 5 minutes. Stare into something far away. Maybe even meditate.
I’ll wait. I promise this blog post isn’t going anywhere.

👉 Read: What's in My Cup? How Meditation Helped Me See It

3. Looks Make a Difference (Just a Bit)

Anyone with a Shih Tzu knows this: before and after grooming?
Two different dogs.
So different that I often wonder if I’m picking up the right pup.

It made me realize—humans are the same. We need a bit of grooming too. There’s an old saying:

“世上没有丑女人，只有懒女人。”
Translation: There are no ugly women in the world—only lazy ones.

While I don’t fully agree, there’s some truth. I’m not someone who wears makeup or dresses up often, but I do believe in looking clean and put-together. That’s enough.

(And no, this has nothing to do with hygiene—don’t worry, I shower, though this was also an uphill battle until I figured out why.)

More on this topic (It's never about the color pink) in another post, but for now:
You don’t have to look stunning.
Just look clean.

4. Entertain those who entertain you.

GG greets everyone warmly at first. Tail wagging, excited hops.

But over time, she learns. If someone isn’t as enthusiastic about her, she tones it down. No hard feelings—just quiet observation.

But when someone is happy to see her?
Oh, she knows. She’ll zoom around, bring her toys, and her whole body says: Welcome back! I missed you!

That’s something I’m trying to learn too—save your energy for people who give it back.

As always, these lessons from GG may seem simple—but they’ve been life-changing for me. She reminds me that sometimes, the deepest wisdom comes in the quietest, fluffiest forms.

There’s still so much more she’s taught me (and continues to teach me), so if you’ve enjoyed this little peek into our journey together…

Stay tuned for Part 2—coming next week!

I promise, there’s more where this came from. 💛🐾