There's a new hot spot in town. It's not a fancy coffee shop, a swanky nightclub, nor is it a marketplace, library, or any other place of business - although, I can assure you, some pretty serious business is conducted there. These days, there is no where else I'd rather be. The fun and laughs I've had there rival no other place, but the most joy I've experienced has been as a result of the life lessons I've seen being taught there everyday. Would you be surprised to learn that the place I'm referring to is a dog park? Yeah, I know......a dog park??? All the pooping and butt-sniffing and barking? What is there to possibly learn? If we open our eyes, ears, and hearts, there are little gifts, pearls of wisdom all around us, anywhere, everyday, but I want to let the lessons speak for themselves.
Lesson #1 - Find something or someone you love so much that you'd be willing to jump from a moving vehicle just to get to that something or someone twenty-five seconds sooner than you would have had you not jumped. Meet Guru.
This crazy Keeshond is one of my favorites at the dog park. All of us who witnessed this balls-out display of love and joy almost went into cardiac arrest, especially his Dog Dad. Thankfully, Guru suffered no injuries and has not attempted this feat since, but the lesson here is this: If it takes you your entire life to find it, so be it, but find it; that something or someone who excites you to the degree that you would risk life and limb just to get to them as soon as it humanly (or canine-ly) possible. For me, at this point in my life, that thing is one day reaching retirement. Mind you, I'm not ceasing to live in the moment. I'm staying mindful and present. Otherwise, I can assure you, Guru would not approve! But, the equivalent of Guru's dive from the car window, would be me making the sacrifices I can now, the changes I can make to get to that last ever day of gainful employment sooner than I might otherwise. That means spending less, doing without sometimes, saving every penny, and lightening my load as I go. That destination of freedom looks as inviting to me as the dog park looked to Guru from the passenger seat. Let me at it. If I get there even one month sooner, I would consider that a success. Moving on to our next lesson from the little dog side, which, ironically, Guru is also responsible for teaching.
Lesson #2 - Meet others where they are, and keep expectations low. Guru is a big fluff of a lover. He loves to play, and he does not discriminate when it comes to choosing a playmate. At about 30 pounds, he rides the line between the large dog and the small dog sides. He loves both, and frequently switches between the two - driving his Dad crazy! - often several times in the same visit to the dog park. I've enjoyed the pleasure of observing him mostly on the small dog side. My own dog is small and absolutely hates playing with other dogs, but she has other wisdom to impart which will likely come in a subsequent blog post, but let's get back to Guru. This fun-loving puppy will play with any dog any time, but the remarkable thing is that he adjusts his intensity to match the levels where his playmates live. For the dogs closer to his size, he'll give them 100% Guru, but for, say, a tiny miniature Dachshund named Marnie, he turns into the gentlest giant - no less playful, and still having just as much fun. He will even tone down to an okay-you-don't-want-to-play-so-let's-just-lay-together-in-the-sandpit, which is exactly what he does for my dog, Sweet Pea. Guru will also coax you into playing if you currently aren't, and he seems to just know which dogs to force to play - which usually means using his silly and incessant puppy-style bark and crazy head tilts. He seems to instinctively know whom to not give up on, and whom to live-and-let-live with (again, that would be Sweet Pea). It seems like he accomplishes all this by observing others, possibly thinking from their perspectives, and I believe, caring for them, and then by maybe just going for it! Is there a co-worker of yours who seems to get really shy at the water cooler? What about that cashier at the grocery store who seemed to be having a bad day? Or even, consider the friend who just got the best news of his life and wants to celebrate. Be unselfish. Meet them where they are. Keep your expectations low, and maybe offer a bark and a head tilt. Who knows? And that was just another lesson from Guru, the Dog Park....guru!
The next time I post a blog from the Dog Park Diaries, I think I'm going to share with you lessons learned from Esperanza and her often-misunderstood sister, Isadora - the exotic and beautiful girls from Dominican Republic. Until then, friends, how can you start right this minute living a little more like Guru the Keeshond? Whatever just came to your mind, DO. IT. Right now.
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