Teaching Moments

Yesterday was training day with Max's trainer. Because of my schedule it had been several weeks since we had scheduled an actual lesson. However, we continued to practice our skills , albeit more sporadically as time has gone by.
Max is a very loving and social creature. He is enthusiastic and passionate about every aspect of his simple life. Unfortunately he will never pass his Good Citizen Certification if he leaps up and greets with a wet, sticky lick across the face. Now, I know this is a cultural-thing and that in some lands tight squeezes and kisses are the norm but for my poor Western give-me-my-three-foot-bubble society puppy this is unacceptable.
I am learning that Max must place all of his attention on me and ignore the many distractions that surround an Autumn walk in the crunchy leaves that dance with each gust of wind and the squirrels that tease from the trees dropping acorns in our path.
How hard is that!?! Life is filled with so many fun sounds and sights and smells and people. How easy is it to surrender to the activity around us instead of doing our work and chores and lessons.
Instead of sitting in front of our computers for hours, what would it be like to rake a pile of leaves, smelling the musty earth, and take a huge leap into the moist heap.
Or taking a brisk evening walk, just as the stars are beginning to pop out among the dark cloak of night. Or piling up a large mug of rich, hot cocoa with mini-marshmallows only to be topped with a dollop of whipped cream and maybe a spritz of peppermint.
Have you noticed that the green has changed to gold and orange and red against the blue sky? Or the infusion of red to the round green berries that have lay dormant in the summer sun?
But...back to work...no time for play.
Anyrate, for now, should you pass us on a walk you will hear my mantra "Look at me, Max. Look at me. YES!"
But, if you look closely ... if you stop for a moment...you will see both owner and canine taking the briefest of moments to catch the family of deer enjoying an Autumn day.

Lessons from a Dog Park

Max loves the dog park. He senses our arrival before we enter the gates. His tail begins to wag practically elevating him from his seat in anticipation. He enters the first gate searching for the familiar others that he longs to tackle and chase. And with one quick motion, he charges into the four-legged frenzy of furry companions. He greets each with a quick sniff and then bows down preparing for his quick get-away in play. He is so happy. He takes turns running and then chasing his friends. Every once in a while he stops, looks for me, and making eye contact he appears to say, "Thanks, mom. You're the best." Then he resumes his play.

I watch the dogs play. There are so many varieties of breed each with her own unique personality. Yet, they figure it out. They figure out how to get along.
Now, I know there exist 'pack rules' in the animal world that include sanctions and corrections known innately by the members. When one infringes on the rules, she is corrected (as is her owner is she isn't a quick study). However, for the most part, the animals figure it out and enjoy the moment.

Mindfulness is a dog concept. Max lives in the moment. He enjoys rolling in the leaves and chewing a fallen stick as much as he does splashing in the mud puddle or going for a long walk with his 'pack'. He finds contentment in the most mundane and ordinary.
He greets with enthusiasm as if this is the first time he has met you. And he always makes you feel as if you are the most important person in his world.

Tolerance, living in the moment, gratitude and love...alot of lessons to be found in a dusty, old dog park.

Kindred Spirits

I waited 15 years for Max. I planned and prepared for the arrival of my Golden Doodle puppy. I read every book and watched endless episodes of Dog Whisperer in anticipation of my pet-therapy dog in-training.
As a Pastoral Counselor and Therapist who works with survivors of trauma, I have come to know the power of Relationship. The power in the Relationship with oneself, with others and with the Divine.
Max is to be part of that process of connecting and healing. He is to rest at my feet while we sit and hold the pain of another. He is to gently rise and intuitively know when to rest his head on a bent knee. He will heal with his presence.
I watch this furry ball of energy race across the yard chasing a squirrel or jump at a butterfly and I laugh. For with all of my lofty ideas of Max's gifts, he is still a puppy. A muddy, panting, drooling puppy who finds pleasure in raising his leg to my Rosemary bush and squatting in my labyrinth.
And yet, somewhere in this reality lies an authentic truth that IS comforting and healing. A cold nose greeting me in the morning or a warm body warming my feet.
Some say that animals are our earthly companions. Dossey (1999) believes that between all living beings exists a connection which he calls the nonlocal mind and this connection has potential to have a positive or negative impact on the other’s health. Manes (1984) adds that to ignore this need to connect with all living creatures causes harm to our thoughts, imagination, and creativity (14). Mane (1997) questions the impact of urbanization and exclusion of nature from our culture on our spiritual lives. He contends that by not honoring this innate need to connect (with animals) we have ignored a path to “truly deep religious experiences” (34).
Schoen (2001) views the human-animal connection as encompassing not only greater health but also reaching into a mystical, magical or metaphysical realm. Further, he contends, “I don’t believe that the connection between humans and animals can be boiled down to simple neurophysiology or neuroanatomy (156). What is the role that animals play in human life?
What do you think? Do you have a story?