Three simple rules for a happy relationship

This wonderful dog was showing us how to behave in a relationship: to consider another person, to be thinking of that person and to do something nice for that person.

by Rochelle Sparrow — 

My family took in a dog about eight months ago, a small female black lab, that we named Fechine. Fechine was unsocialized, very frightened and would not even walk into my house. We had to carry her because she was so scared that she could not control her bowel movements.

My other black lab, Kije, accepted the new pup as though it were the most natural thing in the world to have a new member of the household. He made room for her on the bed, learned to take walks with her and, after a period of time, started to play with her, even though he is an older fellow.

Recently, Fechine went to the vet to get spayed. Kije looked all around the house for her after she left, even sniffing the door. He then went into the cupboard where we keep the dog bones, pulled out three of them and left them on the rug in the living room where both dogs play. He then lay down, looking at the door. He had never before been in that cupboard or helped himself to dog bones.

This wonderful dog was showing us how to behave in a relationship: to consider another person, to be thinking of that person and to do something nice for that person. Three simple rules that really showed me how much Kije had grown to love Fechine.

If we can learn to keep appreciation and love in our minds, the connections that mean the most to us, we can learn to show our love naturally.

At night, my husband returns from work to see a candle lit for him in the window. It lets him know we are waiting for him, and that my daughter and I miss him. These simple things mean a lot to him. If the candle were not lit, he might feel he was less a part of our considerations throughout the day.

What do you do to keep the people you most love in your thoughts? How do they know they are in your thoughts? Are these actions everyday occurrances that keep your relationship thriving?

Throughout your busy lives, during all your concerns of the day, do you put aside moments to connect with those people who most want and value your connection? Such moments of connection are priceless. Seeing the three dog bones on the rug touched my heart. This simple act made me realize how much small gestures can mean.

Rochelle Sparrow, MSW, provides psychic trance channeled sessions for individuals, couples and groups. 602-430-6447, www.rochellesparrow.com or [email protected].

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 26, Number 1, February/March 2007.