Show And Tell - January 25

Recently I was extremely objectified--and I LOVED IT!

I got to be the object of my boy's Show and Tell. He could have taken the robot he just got from Santa Claus; but he chose me. For once, instead of just dropping him off outside the school doors, I got to go inside. Oh the joy of hearing the sound of my nails echoing down the hall, and the turning of heads. "Yes, look at me, worship me!" Then there were the yummy smells from dirty lockers and bins full of lunchboxes. The odor of un-bathed child was everywhere! A dog's dream!

When we got to the room I was anxious to do my job. My boy was counting on me. All eyes would be on me, and his reputation rested on my abilities to connect with these easily distracted children. You're probably thinking I did tricks like 'lie down' or 'sit with a biscuit on my nose'. And in turn the kids squealed and clapped with delight. Wrong. First, I'm not that kind of dog (most greyhounds don't do 'sit'). And, second, it was important that I BE MYSELF. After a couple sniffs during my intro I did my thing. I laid flat on the ground. Yes, 100% prone on the floor. You will find me in this position a large portion of the day on the couch (see previous blog entry regarding said couch). It is who I am. Dull, you say? Au contraire. It was exactly what was needed as tables of kids took turns coming up to pet me. It was a true greyhound moment. And even though I didn't do fancy tricks, because I was comfortable with who I was they felt comfortable with me. Putting on airs never shows the real you, and you never know if someone really likes you for you. In my opinion, you have to have a take it or leave it attitude. If someone takes it, it's like the bliss of ten little hands giving you a massage all at once as you lay on the cool linoleum of life. If they leave it, it's okay, because it simply wasn't meant to be and another someone will come into your life that is right. So the next time you feel you have to put on an act to impress someone, stop and think that if that is what that person requires of you, then maybe they aren't wanting to know the real you. Take a pass. Always be true to yourself...just make sure you know who that is.

So, with spring around the corner, take a moment to assess how you truly feel physically. Think outside the box and bring those people into your life that support a healthy you. Now that you all feel beautiful thanks to my expert advice in my last entry, it is time to truly show you love yourself and do what is needed to get your health in balance.

Well, that's all for now. Until next time: never underestimate the excitement of tasting something unknown and always keep racing for your dreams.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat Gently Down The Stream - March 31

Today I'd like to talk about a theory that is often mentioned and discussed in my home when certain situations spark it. Don't be surprised. Need I remind you I see and hear all from my couch throne? Makes you wonder what your animal knows about you, doesn't it?

Anyway, the theory is that our daily travels in life on this earth are equivalent to floating down a river. Just as with life, some times the river gets rough and fears can cause you to grab and hold onto something so that you don't have to endure the rapids and the unknown awaiting you. But as you grip tightly to find security, the oncoming water continues to bash you making it harder and harder and more and more uncomfortable to hold on. Remember, water is more powerful than you, and wears down the mightiest of rocks over time, even with a trickle. Then some times the water drifts into a shallow pool where it sits stagnant before slowly moving on. As you wait, boredom may set in or anger that the river has stopped, so you get out and sit on a rock. Eventually you fall asleep and the water continues on without you and you miss opportunities further on. In both instances your choices put you at odds with the flow of the water.

The river is the universal energy, whether you call it the Universe, God or Love, and we are a part of it. During the tough times in our lives, holding on too tightly accentuates our fears and creates ill health in the body. Not accepting and learning from the slow times removes us from that all important connection and we become unhappy and out of balance. In both scenarios you become stuck and disconnected with that which is around you. In those times we need to ask, "What am I doing to cause disharmony with the river? What can I do to keep moving forward in a situation without hurting myself?" Luckily there are times we float evenly and joyously with no bumps or frustrations, but we don't always get that. There will always be rapids and still ponds in our journey. Ultimately, one must trust that every situation is what is needed at the time; to learn from in order to be better prepared for what is to come so there aren't such extremes in the current. Maybe the hippies were right when they told the establishment to go with the flow.

Disclaimer: This theory is completely metaphorical. Neither I nor anyone affiliated with me encourages anyone to float freely down a rapid river without protection. Ooh! That sparks another thought. If you wouldn't float down a river without protection, why would anyone go through life without it? And yet we do by forgetting that the energy that connects us also protects, and by attempting to go it alone. Again, we need to trust; trust there is something other than ourselves and trust that the river will not let us down.

Perfection Is In The Eye Of The Beholder - April 23

I've been a bad dog. Or so I've been told.

I started digging again in my mom's flower beds. I know. I know. I was good for so long, but the nature spirits just keep calling me to play with them and I can't resist. It reminds me of the pillow fight at my foster family's house when I first arrived in Seattle from Oklahoma (see picture above). I got in trouble then too but let the record show I didn't start it. You're probably wondering how we destroyed the pillow muzzled but I won't rat out my fellow Greys. And now it's the pillow thing all over again. It's just that once my brain gets focused on something I just can't stop! Take sniffing for example. On my daily walks I know there are walking manners, but the smells are so enticing. There is something extraordinary to investigate every 2 feet. Dog, raccoon, squirrel, cat, rat and opossum. You name the rodent, my neighborhood has it! The enticing smells enter my olfactory canals and the brain shuts off to everything but the investigation at hand. Oh the joy! Eventually though my mom has to put her foot down and shorten up the leash or "we won't get anywhere," she says.

After reading that, you're probably rather disappointed. "How, Bob, can you behave so after all your words of wisdom?" you ask. Well, let's not forget I am just a dog. But also, despite my ideas and conjectures, I am not and never will be perfect. As shocking as that may be it is still the truth. I know we Greyhounds present ourselves as angelic but believe me, there are a few that should have ran the track with a helmet or have been known to ride the 'short bus'. I won't even get into my need to stand as close to my mom as possible while she uses the restroom. And before you point out some awesome, fetching Golden, he probably eats his poop or gets on the couch when you're not home.

I started out resenting Bob's accusations and his inability to respect my well-earned position in this household. The more I thought about it, my resentment of Sucha, a past family cat came to mind. She, having been the first one here, never let me forget she ran the home physically and energetically having been the first one here. My resentment and anger accelerated with each thought to such a degree it finally hit me just how filled with these dark emotions I had become. Dark emotions, such as resentment, are strong drugs that seep in slowly without much notice; they fuel our egos and make us feel justified in our negative thinking. "They did it to me." "They were trying to control me." "It's all their fault." Once the dark gets deep enough into our psyches it takes hold and is very difficult to shake. They convince us that we need them and prevent us from taking responsibility for our actions. In reality, they are nothing without us; if they are removed they don't exist. They most definitely are not part of who we are.

With new clarity I was able to see things from Bob's perspective. Maybe he is just fighting for his rightful place in the family. Maybe I should have done that with Sucha rather than wallow in my resentment all those years, wasting so much time. Those dark emotions don't want you to see that there is usually a better way, bigger perspective, or more loving alternative. Once you take action to remedy a situation and do so without being propelled by resentment or anger, I bet you can find yourself in a pretty nice place.

I guess it is true that even your enemies can teach you something about yourself. At this time I am humbled and thankful for the lesson. I guess I could allow Bob a place in my kingdom. Not equal to me, of course. Perhaps just slightly behind and to the left. One thing for sure is that this resentment stuff around here needs to shift before things really get out of hand...like the placement of a hairball down someone's throat while he sleeps. But the next time he sniffs my butt, all bets are off.

Welcome To The Family - June 24

I have returned, after the blog hijacking by the cat, with good news. Seems the Pug rescue group decided our home wasn't deadly after all and a new family member has joined us. A little black ball of love named Rex. Don't let the size full you, he's also pretty mighty as he helps me scatter squirrels and birds in the backyard.

Mom gave us all Rescue Remedy in our water to help with the transition. No matter how loving a foster parent is, the rescue system can create some stress and Rescue Remedy helps remove nervous or detrimental energies created in the process, as well as keeping more stress from building up with the switch to a forever home. The flower essence Walnut is also extremely beneficial to aid in the integration of new family members. Giving it to everyone just assures that everyone is on the same page and open to change.

For me, the number one reason Rex fits in our family: