I have a great mentor, and he has 4 legs. Sorry if this sounds like a bad motivational message, but I keep getting surprised by my greatest source of inspiration.
We’ve realized that Sam, our 20 pound poodle-terrier cross, has figured out the keys to life. Sam came to us as a rescue from Fort McMurray when he was 6 years old. He was seriously scrappy and had trust issues for sure.
Now he is 17. He is old, and aging hasn’t been easy. He’s had root canals, ACL reconstruction, a ‘brain accident’ that was likely a stroke, weird sores and infections, and herniated disks in his back that has left him with minimal control of his hind legs. (thank God for pet insurance) But every day he enjoys brief walks, gets super excited about food, snuggles up for some love on the couch and seems to truly embrace whatever he’s doing. Even now, he doesn’t back down from a bigger dog, being fully confident that he can take them on. And he’d just as soon bite your face off as go to the vet or groomer.
But he has shown us that there are a few fundamentals essential for a good life. Briefly, they are:
- Ask for what you want, and keep on knocking until that door opens
If Sam wants something, he lets you know. Clearly. Without ambiguity. And repeatedly until his desire is satisfied. It doesn’t matter the time or place, he communicates clearly and without ambiguity. If he is hungry, or wants outside, or up on the bed, he has established clear signals that are unmistakable to even the most uninitiated.
- If you fall over, just get back up and keep walking
Due to the stroke and back injuries, Sam falls over every 20 or 30 steps. Fortunately, he is short-legged so it is more of a swoon than a complete collapse, though that happens sometimes too. He doesn’t seem to worry about it. He doesn’t say to himself, ‘I look weird so I’ll stay home’, or ‘the other dogs will laugh at me so I’ll hide over here’. He just stands back up and keeps on going.
- Life is fun, particularly dinner time
With all his aches and pains, you’d think Sam would be more ornery than he actually is. But he still loves to run down the hall with his friends, jump up and down anticipating dinner, get a great treat puzzle and figure it out. He may not run in the fields as much any more, but he sure does know how to love what he’s going, even if he’s done it a thousand times before.
- The only time that matters in now.
Who knows how Sam feels about what went on in his life before he came to us, or even in the decade since then. I do know he can be angry as a 3rd degree sunburn one minute, and perfectly happy and affectionate the next. Whatever caused his displeasure is quickly forgotten and his mood transformed by a fresh meal and a walk outside. Let the past go and move on.
I know it is shallow to think I can live my life like my dog. But as we grow older, lets appreciate the value of the small pleasures in life. That seems like a fine path to happiness. May all of us embrace the way of the dog.
Take care and have a wonderful day.
Linda
