What My Dog Caymus Taught Me About The Law of Patience and Reward

When we met Caymus, our handsome, feisty, and wildly intelligent Shepherd/Malinois mix, I had exactly zero plans to adopt a dog.

I was a lifelong cat mama — my home was already run by five felines who considered themselves royalty.

We were visiting the animal sanctuary I volunteered at — walking dogs, socializing cats — when I introduced my family to “Roland,” a striking 70-pound bundle of energy.

The moment they saw him, they were in love.

After an hour at the on-site dog play area - they were begging to adopt him.

I, however, was the voice of reason: “There is no way this dog can co-exist with our cats.”

The kennel manager overheard and casually suggested, “Why don't you take him to the cattery? Just to see?”

To my surprise, he passed the cat test.

I was still hesitant, but - we brought him home.

And thus began the chaos.

I mean… adventures.

Turns out, “cat tested” just meant he didn’t want to eat them.

It did not mean he didn’t want to chase, herd, or play (in the most alarming way possible).

The cats were not amused.

Since Caymus (renamed to suit him) had been found as a stray, the rescue wasn’t sure if he was house-trained. Their advice for night one? “Let him sleep in the garage with the door open to the fenced backyard.”

It was California, the weather was mild, and I’d created a cozy setup with a plush bed.

I felt like a very responsible new dog mom.

"I got this," I thought.

Until the next morning.

I looked out the window and froze: the entire contents of the garage - power tools, hiking boots, backpacks, an array of bags, gardening gloves, flip-flops - were everywhere, all topped with our now unrolled Costco-sized stash of toilet paper and paper towels. It looked like a hurricane had come through.

In the middle of it all was Caymus, tail wagging, exuberant, continuing to have a grand old time for himself, now shaking an electric screwdriver in his mouth.

I was horrified.

The cats were smug.

Seeing he was surrounded by saw blades he'd taken out (I have no idea how he didn't hurt himself), I ran to bring him inside.

I called him. He ignored me.

I tried to get him. He galloped away.

My husband came out. He listened to him immediately.

This was the theme for the next many weeks.

I was completely overwhelmed with Caymus.

So we called in a trainer, I thought for the dog.

Then I learned it was for me.

Apparently, I didn't carry myself as alpha, Caymus needed a strong leader, and I was in way over my head.

I had to learn how to speak his language.

How to channel his boundless energy into something productive.

How to stay calm, confident, and — most importantly — how to be consistent.

It wasn’t instant. There were days that felt like we were moving backward.

But slowly, steadily — a better recall here, a calmer walk there — progress came.

Six months later, Caymus was my boy.

Still strong, still mischievous, still smarter than most people — but we understood each other.

He trusted me, and I knew how to lead him.

Thirteen years later, I can’t imagine life without him.

Enter Week 10 of this series on the 12 Laws of Karma:

The Law of Patience and Reward.

At its heart, this law reminds us that meaningful results rarely happen overnight.

The most beautiful, worthwhile things — in nature, in relationships, in careers, in our personal growth — are born from steady, consistent effort over time.

Patience isn’t just waiting.

It’s showing up again and again, even when you can’t yet see the payoff.

Because — like with Caymus’ training — something is happening.

Beneath the surface.

In your skills.

In your mindset.

In your ability to stay the course.

Every towering tree started as a seed that spent weeks (even months) in the dark.

From the outside, it looked like nothing was happening.

But under the surface, roots were forming — the very foundation that would one day hold something tall and thriving.

Artists, athletes, entrepreneurs — they all know this truth: mastery isn’t born from a single grand gesture, but rather from the mundane.

It comes from the quiet, repetitive actions.

The daily bricks.

The small choices that slowly build into something extraordinary.

And here’s the part we forget: Even when it feels like nothing’s moving, your consistency is creating powerful results.

That’s how we build anything meaningful.

That’s how we grow.

More appreciation.

More self-awareness.

More capacity for good.

Persistence builds character.

And the process?

It’s not just a means to an end — it’s refining you. Developing qualities like resilience, compassion, faith, and inner strength.

Because there is value in the journey. Not just the destination.

This law reminds us that karmic seeds we plant — through our thoughts, actions, and intentions — may take time to bloom. But bloom they will, as long as we keep tending to them with care, presence, and belief.

If you're in a season where you're doing the work but not yet seeing the results, I get it.

My guided meditation, Staying the Course | The Law of Patience and Reward, is here to help you stay grounded in trust, keep your momentum, and honor the quiet, powerful bricks you’re laying each day.

👉 [Click here to listen now]