Even More - 5

Life lesson five could be the title to a song...oh wait, it is!

LIFE LESSON FIVE: LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH

It is that age-old habit of wishing for a different dog; a better and more talented dog.  This lesson holds hands with lesson three of "looking in the mirror" because I can't separate the two.  But then all these lessons seemed to be knitted together in a way that, removing one chink, the whole masterpiece unravels.

I've been reading books about "mindful living" these days......working at living in the moment of right now and being whole-heartedly and whole-mindedly right in this very moment.  On the one hand, it is wrestling the biggest dragon, taming my mind to be calm and not race around to what I've done and what needs doing.  On the other hand, it is as easy as jumping off a cliff and relaxing into what is.  Back in the day of training up my Snook, she would have benefitted from some of this mindful living.  It would have allowed me to see her for what she was instead of what I thought I desperately wanted her to be.

I think back to that one clinic where the sheep were running hard into a draw.  I kept opening Snook up on her flank, in my mind, thinking the sheep might slow down and Snook could catch them.  Snook never did and I was pretty bummed at her.  A very good friend came over and talked to me....we talked about the sheep and the draw and why the sheep were running into the draw.  It really did not have anything to do with Snook and opening her up allowed the sheep to really run uninhibited by no contact from my dog.  Truth be told, I could not hear my good and honest friend that day at the clinic.  Pride and Ego have stumbled me on my path many a time.  Today, I can look back at this mind video and see so much of the good in my dog.  There are days when Snook's whole-hearted commitment to me amazes me.  She was trying so hard to do all that I wanted her to do.....every dog since reaps the reward of this lesson learned years later while Snook lays at my feet while I type our story.

Today I am thankful I started my journey with this red-headed rescue dog.  Had I started with a naturally talented winner, I might not be who am I today. Who am I kidding?  I would be ego filled, boastful maniac if I had started with a "WINNER".  I do know that I have to die to "I wish I had THAT dog" syndrome that comes into my mind at trials and clinics on occasion.  I believe it is human nature to think that something else, outside of myself, will bring me happiness....or that something I have now "makes" me unhappy.  I see it lived out every day:  a different spouse, a different job, more property, better sheep, weighing less, running a 10 minute mile; this list of "I would be happy if only" could go on and on and on.   With this, I am not saying change is not good....it is just that the inside needs to be healthy for any change to be functional.  Okay, that is pretty philosophical and deep for a blog but it's where I am at.

Patrick Shannahan once told me that "not every dog comes into your life to make you a winner, but every dog comes into your life to teach you something."  I am sure I have paraphrased the heck out of this quote but I believe the sentiment remains.  I lift my eyes from the lap top screen and look at my pack, each of them sleeping and waiting on me to see what adventures we will have today.  I know some of the life-learning gifts they have given me and I know there are learning gifts yet to unwrap.  I also know that in these last days of Snook, she continues to teach me about the nuances of growing old and unconditional love, being brave and a promise keeper.

I hear stories told of the dogs that might not be as talented as another dog, but they win big trials because of the partnership with their handler.  That is what I am longing for....the relationship built on time, miles, trust, belief, work, and appreciation for the lessons to becoming more of me.  This also brings me back to myself. I see pictures of those runners that run 6 minute miles and long for that in myself.  There is no way I will be that girl...ever.  No matter, I am still a runner.   In all things: my dogs, my body, my relationships, my journey......Love The One You're With!

Seize the day.