Animals have a much better attitude to life and death than we do. They know when their time has come. We are the ones that suffer when they pass, but it's a healing kind of grief that enables us to deal with other griefs that are not so easy to grab hold of.
You really do learn every day with every dog; they are all so unique and different. But if you're patient and you understand where they're coming from, and if you are consistent, they will be fine. They teach you to give your full attention.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Dogs are unique learners, and understanding them requires patience and consistency, which also teaches us the importance of attention.
In this quote, Emmylou Harris reflects on the unique qualities of each dog and the lessons they impart through daily interactions. She emphasizes the importance of patience and understanding in building a relationship with dogs, suggesting that their behavior can teach us valuable life skills, such as giving our full attention to others and being consistent in our actions. This highlights the profound connection between humans and animals, and the personal growth that can arise from these relationships.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of relationships, one could refer to this quote to highlight how animals teach us about attention and love.
More from Emmylou Harris
All quotes →I find with records, they become what they're going to become. They take on a power and a direction of their own. Part of making records is to honor that and not try to force it.
There's a certain grace in accepting what your life is and embracing all the good things that have been - but there's still an expectation of good things to come. Not necessarily what you expected.
I didn't have any money. I had a sense of terrible loss. But what I also had was a fire in my belly. I wasn't going to go back to waiting tables. I felt I had to be better at fronting a band.
I look at my voice and my abilities as a gift. I don't feel that I can even take any credit for it, but it's such a huge presence in my life. It is my life. It's my identity, it's everything. And it's given me a great deal of joy and a sense of purpose - I can't imagine my life without it.
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