What Do Animal Companions Teach Us About Social Entrepreneurship?

Almost ten years ago, I was training adults with severe physical impediments in Puerto Rico on how to operate their own micro-businesses by using computers and unique software that were recently developed.  It was a labor of love to face all the societal and governmental challenges placed in our path.  The experience was enormous, and so was my personal reward.  For in the midst of all the obstacles, I was challenged to see the possible love and beauty in a scruffy little stray dog whom I rescued from the hot, lonely, and unforgiving streets.  I never realized how that one gesture would so transform my personal life and my life’s work.

I have been amazed at the many lessons I have learned from Gypsy, my companion for the last 9 years, about life in general, and specifically, about the qualities of becoming an extraordinary entrepreneur.  Gypsy acquired diabetes a year ago and lost her sight and most of her hearing over the last nine months.  In spite of her physical challenges, she continues to teach me profound lessons on what is truly important and what it takes to live life to its fullest.  I think every child and adult deserves the amazing gift of experiencing the special bond with a dog (or other animal companion).  I believe that these extraordinary beings come to us as messengers, to offer us unconditional love and to teach us the lessons we need to learn to overcome all of our limitations and challenges.  As entrepreneurs committed to personal and world transformation, I find that an animal partner will teach you qualities and ways of being that all successful entrepreneurs possess.  I think having an animal companion, in my case a dog, is a more powerful learning approach than any course, book, or coaching intervention.  Here are some of the “ways of being” that my beloved Gypsy has taught me:

• Devotion – total and complete unconditional love.  Devotion to our bodies, our minds, our spirits, and our business are all required for the creation of a profitable and sustainable enterprise.

• Tireless joy – she (Gypsy) just loves life and takes time to have fun.

When she plays, she really goes for it.  It is important that we break the routine of running our business to enjoy ourselves, to have fun every day with friends, family, and with our pets.

• Self-reliance – dogs depend on themselves to manage many of their needs.  They use their curiosity to figure things out on their own.  As entrepreneurs and leaders, there are many times when we need to depend on ourselves to figure out the best solution to a particular challenge.  It is important that we access our intuition and our wisdom to resolve many of our questions and business concerns.

• Focus – this quality is key for business success.  Have you ever seen a dog focused on his/her goal of getting you to give them a piece of food or to throw them a ball?

Focus with that level of intention is key to business success.  As multitaskers, we are easily distracted with conversations and actions that do not move us towards our goals.  It is imperative that we stay focused on our objectives, being in the moment and in an awareness of how we are managing out time.

• Trust – when it is time for her dinner, Gypsy lays flat on the kitchen floor trusting 100% that her need for food will be fulfilled.  She is relaxed with no worries in sight.  As women entrepreneurs, we also need to trust that the Universe is providing us will all the resources we need to build a prosperous business.  We want to transform the world with our products and services.  Our message is important.  Our business must succeed.  We just need to trust ourselves and our Creator.

• Patience – patience was not one of my original virtues.  But, Gypsy has definitely made the difference.  Our morning walks have taught me to stop and smell the roses, to breathe deeply, to appreciate the day and all its beauty, and to be gentle with myself, with her, and with others.  I decided that during her morning walk, she is the boss.  It is her time and I follow her lead.  Patience in the morning is the name of the game.  Giving up control of the walk, walking at her pace, and stopping what feels like hundreds of times along the way is not easy for me.  Oh, how much she has taught me Patience!

• Being present and in the moment – as business owners we need to listen to members of our team and to our clients with the intention of serving them.  This requires total presence of our body, mind, and spirit.

• Gratefulness – as a rescued dog, Gypsy has taught me new dimensions of gratefulness.  She appreciates all that she has and receives.  I know because she expresses gratitude with her loving eyes, as if saying “thank you, mom” for all the love and attention and for meeting her needs. Expressing gratitude to the Universe on a daily basis is one of the most important actions we can take as wise women.  Gratitude opens our heart to receive all the good that we deserve.  It places our focus and intention on what we already have and value and away from what we have lost and do not need.

• Structure – dogs need structure, and entrepreneurs do as well.  Have you noticed how dogs can tell time?  They know exactly when it is time to walk, eat, and play.  They are most happy when their schedules are not changed.  In order to manage our time effectively and to find balance between our personal lives and our business, it is critical that we create a structure to our days, weeks, and months.  With a calendar, we should structure our time to ensure that all important tasks are accomplished and that we have free time to relax, recharge, and have fun.  At first, this process of scheduling out our lives ahead of time will perhaps be a stretch for us.  With practice, we will come to love structure in our lives as successful entrepreneurs.

• Teachers and Healers – as women entrepreneurs committed to personal and world transformation, we are being called to serve as messengers, teachers, and healers.  In my case, my dog Gypsy, with all her beautiful qualities, has been my greatest teacher and healer.

Our bond is profound and we experience the Oneness of the Universe.  Through Gypsy, I have learned to love unconditionally, to love myself, to heal and trust myself, and to know, without a doubt, that I am, as she is, a child of the Universe, powerful and valuable to the world.  That I am here, on planet Earth, to make a difference as a messenger, teacher, and healer.  I accept this evolutionary impulse and invite other women from all walks of life and all corners of the globe to join me in the Sabia Partners™ movement, the Alliance of Wise Women Entrepreneurs™.