Be flexible like a Tree in the Wind or How to find your Dog
- daggiesleashes
- Nov 5, 2016
- 3 min read
I just read my friend Kinga Philipps' blog about flexibility and rolling with the punches. As a travel writer and journalist among other talents, she is constantly moving, traveling around the world, exploring, adventuring, surviving, inspiring. In "Chapter Twelve" of her blog she writes "Rigidity is not natural," and reminds us of the importance of staying in the moment, seeing every detour as the beginning of a new adventure and using our time on this beautiful earth wisely.
It reminded me of my whole experience with my dogs. When I met my first dog Bailey, I wasn't looking for a dog. But being open, (and having fallen in love with him the moment I saw that sad Rotti with his big, soulful eyes and too-small-for-his-head ears) and taking him home despite so many rational reasons why not to, has provided me with the most joyful memories of my life.
When I was ready for a new dog almost three years after loosing Bailey, I really didn't want a puppy. They are cute and all, but I planned on going to a shelter and getting a 1 or 2-year old. I thought this way I would already know 'who' the dog was. His/her personality, temperament, health issues etc. would be more formed and I felt that it would be easier for me to know what I'd be dealing with. Then I saw Mini Cooper's picture on Paw Works' Facebook page and thought "Well, I'm probably not going to take this one, he's only 9 weeks old, but it doesn't hurt to check him out." And that was the beginning of that story.
On my way to a friends house warming party in Los Angeles, I stopped by the Paw Works store in the Thousand Oaks Mall and waited excitedly for Mini Cooper's (formerly known as 'Wes"') debut. He finally came out with his two brothers and he was by far the most adorable thing I'd ever seen. His personality seemed sweet but curious. He was hesitant but ultimately nosy enough to investigate anything that caught his attention. I kept picking him up and putting him back down, thinking that I really didn't want a puppy. But when other people came and started showing interest, I realized that he's already stolen himself into my heart. Done deal.
So off I went, with puppy and accessories in tow, on my way to my friend's house warming party. Socializing by fire, I guess, Mini Cooper got a taste of his new lifestyle in his first two hours, being uuhed and aahed over left and right. He was understandably exhausted that night, even though he did nothing but leisurely hang out on people's forearms. He's gone to many places since then, and he'll explore many more. From the impressive hikes in the Santa Barbara mountains to the Malibu foothills he's explored many California landmarks. I'm sure if MC could write, he would co-author one or two blogs with my friend Kinga.
But to get back to the beginning of this blog, being flexible really is a talent and a requirement to mastering life. And creating a life with your dog, that is fun, save, healthy and more requires you to be flexible. Believe me, try training a Dachshund mix who thinks everything is optional and you understand exactly the meaning of being flexible. Training your puppy takes a lot of dedication, patience and rolling with the punches. There are many training videos out there (I post some of them on my Facebook page, so jump over there and like my page.)
Keeping your dog healthy is a whole other story and experience where staying flexible is monumental. Don't believe me? Wait for my next blog when I will write about combating MC's many allergies. From fleas to food allergies, supplements, sleepless nights and raw food, it'll all be covered. Stay tuned.
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