Even this non-dog person is noticing a shift in perspective
in the company of dogs. During the simple process of daily care, important life lessons are being taught.
One… needs are revealed if you simply pay attention. Charlie will request in dog speak his
necessary potty breaks. Bernadine, however, nervously paces. Often deep in thought or activity, I can
easily overlook the speak or the pace and accidents happen. Being more in the moment instead of far, far
away, distracted, I would see the signs, hear the clues and take the proper
next best step. It’s more important to
be present, alert and watch for the signs.
Two… allow margin for
the unexpected. Odds are when lip
gloss is applied, hair is perfect, the no-grass shoes are on and I’m ready to
leave, dogs will have to go outside.
Best laid plans will often twist at the last moment. Change the shoes,
grab the umbrella and out we go. If I
allowed a few extra minutes for the unexpected I wouldn’t feel rushed.
Which leads me to three…
you can’t rush things. Charlie has a routine, a sniff path that must be
followed and no amount of rushing can speed the circuit. He’s gathering all the
important data…who’s been here, what’s that smell, eat some grass, sniff old
piles, tree, mailbox, fire hydrant. Like an old man and his paper over the
morning coffee, things simply can’t be rushed. Frantic rush may arise, but
neither dog responds… urges to hurry fall on deaf doggy ears. Life takes just the right amount of
time and no amount of rushing will change the pace.
Lastly, and most
weighty… love is unconditional.
Neither the contents of my day nor the fickle nature of my moods seem to
change the depth of doggy love. Greeting me at the door, happy tails wagging,
ready to lick and lean, they love with a love that isn’t often found in humans.
Mistakes are never held against me, quickly forgotten with a belly rub or a
back scratch.
If I’m paying true attention, present and unrushed, there is
much to learn from dogs. How to love, keeping it simple, take care of important
stuff first, rest when needed… furry four-legged instructors, a coincidence dog
backwards is God?
