With the decorations up and a George Strait Christmas album playing softly in the background, it finally began to feel festive around our home.
I sat down in front of the fire with a glass of mulled wine and soon found myself engulfed by dogs. When you have three medium-to-large sized dogs, engulfed is the word used when they cuddle up around you.
It's times like this that I reminisce a bit on the past, thinking of all that I have been through with my dogs over the years. When things got tough, they seemed to know their mom needed a bit more from them. They would lay their heads on my lap or curl up as close to me as they could as if they were trying to absorb my fears and offer courage.
There have been times when I've been immersed in some chaotic dilemma and I'd get frustrated with having to do a simple task like taking them for a walk. They would look at me with their big honey coloured eyes, with their ears perked in anticipation, and my dilemma and self-absorption would just melt away. I'd come to realize the frustrations were about myself, not about my responsibility to my dogs.
It's fair to say that my dogs have helped me grow spiritually in many, many ways. During their years with me, they have asked for nothing, but given so much. My life has become richer, more abundant, joyful and easier with them around.
Zumi and Piper are in their senior years and their life experience has given them an air of complete peace and acceptance. Resting with Piper beside me is what I imagine resting beside a Zen master must be like. I can’t imagine what ego-driven fears run through some people’s heads when they give their senior dog up for adoption. The senior years of a dog’s life are the most cherished. This is when we, their owners, tend to learn the most about ourselves, how selfish we are or not. Maybe that is what people are afraid of — learning what they are really like — so they turn their old dog in for a younger model. A mid-life crisis at a dog’s expense.
When I brought Raider into our home, I made sure it was not at the expense of my other two dogs. At just over one year old now, his enthusiasm is overwhelming at times, but it breaks the seriousness of my adult life and has unexpectedly sparked a childlike playfulness in me that I had long ago forgotten. Raider has the ability to turn a mountain into a molehill.
A dog's natural state of peace and calm can settle the busiest of minds. Try, if you might, to sit calmly with your dog - no radio, no TV, no phone, nothing but you and your dog. See how long you can last without a thought of worry, anxiousness or impatience. Try to find that place of peace, a place your dog lives in every moment of the day.
I know many people reading this have found a similar connection with their dogs. They have found a way to let go of their ego, to look at their dog as something more than a pet and allow their dog to touch their soul. They have found that mind, body and dog connection.
Christmas comes but once a year and my wish for all dog lovers is to find that place. Once you find it, you will never look at your dog the same way. You will see a creature that was meant to help you in this life, not hinder you in any way, and you will not be able to imagine your life any other way.
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com
