A Mediator's Best Friend Can Remedy Your Relationship Issues

I am a mediator and I recently lost one of the loves of my life.

A best friend.

A source of unconditional support.

His name was Brady.

My dog, Brady.

I provide family mediation, and yes, I am one of those pet-owners. You know the kind. The ones who consider their pet a member of the family.

I was thinking about our relationship today while on a hike that he and I had taken countless times together.

Brady was incredibly obedient.

Smart. Loyal. Goofy.

Great eye contact.

Even better head-nod.

Basically, he did everything I told him, listened whenever I wanted to talk, and always agreed with me.

And he was beautiful to boot! What’s not to love?

Is this not every man and woman’s dream scenario for a relationship?

I don’t know, is it?

As I moved briskly along the hiking trail I began to think about that question. Ours certainly was a perfect human-dog relationship.

But was it a dream scenario for good ‘ol human relationships?

Well….yes, and no.

Some qualities of my relationship with Brady might be a dream scenario: a nightmare dream scenario!

I have never found a healthy relationship that was built on the premise that one has exclusive power and control.

I have never found a healthy relationship built upon universal subservience.

Or, complete deference.

No, those qualities make for unpleasant, unhealthy, and at times unsafe relationships.

But remember I wrote “yes, and no?”

Brady was a great listener.

Great relationship partners know now to listen.

Like Brady, they make eye contact, they maintain eye contact, and they nod their head to acknowledge their partner.

My relationship with Brady was phenomenal.

Take these lessons from Brady to strengthen your relationships:

Brady was a great companion, as I was to him. Provide companionship to your partner
Brady and I complemented one another beautifully. Embrace the differences in your relationship and view them as complementary pieces
Always listen.
Play when it’s time to play, and hang out when it’s time to hang out.
Provide physical comfort to one another. Perhaps not a belly-rub, but human touch can be a beautifully powerful force
Avoid judgment. Instead, fully embrace each other, foibles and all.
Provide unconditional support.

And occasionally, give a good head-nod.

Please comment below — I would love to hear from you!