What Dogs Teach Us About Trust and Resilience
Dogs live by instincts that humans often overlook. While we plan, analyze, and second-guess, dogs sense the world in ways that are raw, immediate, and deeply honest.
In Lessons I’ve Learned from the Dogs I’ve Loved, author Teri Thomas shares how dogs like Maddie, a feral puppy, and Buster, a gentle pit bull scarred by early trauma, revealed the importance of listening to instincts and respecting the power of survival. Their stories are reminders that resilience is not just about enduring hardship, but about trusting the signals within ourselves and others.
Maddie and the Wild Beginning
Maddie’s life began in the wild. She was a puppy born without the comfort of human care, a dog who had to survive before she could learn to trust. When Teri brought her home, Maddie’s instincts were sharp. She was cautious, watchful, and slow to accept touch. At first it was a challenge, but over time Teri saw that Maddie’s caution was not a flaw. It was wisdom born of survival.
One vivid memory stands out. On a hike during a storm, Maddie seemed to know the safest route back when the trail became confusing and disorienting. Her instincts guided them both to safety. In that moment, Maddie taught Teri that instincts should not be ignored. They are often the quiet voice urging us toward safety, balance, and trust, even when the path is unclear.
Buster and the Sensitivity of Survival
Buster was a blue pit bull who entered Teri’s life as a puppy. Unlike Maddie, his instincts were not shaped by the wild but by trauma. He was sensitive to noises, cautious of change, and often overwhelmed by the world around him. To some, his fears might have seemed like weaknesses, but to Teri they revealed another kind of survival.
Buster’s sensitivity was his way of protecting himself. He responded to the signals around him with an intensity that showed how deeply early experiences can shape behavior. By caring for Buster, Teri learned that respecting instincts also means respecting the invisible scars others carry. His need for gentleness, patience, and understanding showed that survival is not always loud or fierce. Sometimes it is quiet and tender, held together by resilience and love.
Trusting the Signals Within
Both Maddie and Buster demonstrated that instincts are not something to override, but something to honor. Maddie’s alertness was her strength, and Buster’s sensitivity was his way of navigating the world. Together, they taught Teri that instincts serve as guides, whether in animals or humans.
Too often, people dismiss their gut feelings, choosing logic over intuition. Yet dogs remind us that instincts are part of survival. They teach us to pay attention to what feels safe, what feels right, and when it is time to step back. These lessons extend beyond dog ownership into everyday life, shaping how we approach relationships, challenges, and decisions.
The Resilience of Survival
Survival is not simply about getting through hard times. It is about adapting, trusting, and finding ways to keep moving forward. Maddie adapted from a feral life to a home full of love. Buster learned to live with his fears while still offering gentleness and devotion. Their resilience is a model for how humans, too, can face the world.
Teri’s reflections highlight that resilience does not look the same for everyone. For some it is bold and adventurous, like Maddie finding her way through a storm. For others it is quiet and cautious, like Buster leaning into love despite fear. Both forms are valuable, and both show that survival is a lesson worth honoring.
Learning from Their Example
The dogs we love are often our greatest teachers. Maddie and Buster, each in their own way, revealed that instincts are not barriers but gifts, and that survival is not just about enduring but about growing. Their stories remind us to listen to the quiet wisdom within ourselves and to respect the survival strategies in others.
In their eyes, we see that resilience is not measured by perfection, but by persistence. And in their presence, we learn to trust ourselves more deeply, one instinct at a time.
To read more about Teri Thomas’s journey and the lessons her dogs taught her, you can find Lessons I’ve Learned from the Dogs I’ve Loved on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Teri’s official website.