Living in the Moment – More Lessons from my Dog

Every moment is my favorite moment. And as “new-agey” or zen-like as that sounds, it is just one of the many lessons that I learned that from my dog.

Being out of the loop, I missed the following email that made the rounds a few years ago. Thanks to a dear client who also appreciates what we might learn from out pets, he passed it on to me. I am including it in its entirety because, even if you have read it before, redundancy is a good thing. And from my perspective the “dog’s diary” reminds me to be in the moment, and love it for all it is.

Pet Diary Excerpts

The Dog’s Diary

8:00 am – Breakfast! My favorite thing!
9:30 am – A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am – A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:15 am – Back in the car for a ride! My favorite thing!
10:30 am – Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm – Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm – Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm – Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm – Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm – Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm – Wow! Watched TV with my people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm – Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

The Cat’s Diary

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.  In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped it at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a “good little hunter” I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.  However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of  ”allergies.”  I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.  I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released and seems more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now…

I find that the dog’s perspective serves me well (the cat’s, not so much). It so resonated with me that after I first read the dog’s journal, I actually said aloud (until it became a bit annoying to my friends and I resorted to whispering it under my breath) things like: “yard work is my favorite thing”, or “riding the stationery bike is my favorite thing”, or  “writing blog posts is my favorite thing”. In doing this, I feel an immediate awareness that this is my moment – better oughta love it. And it immediately enhances my sense of happiness…in an authentic way. And feeling happy – a deep, rich, full happy – is my favorite thing.

Be a dog-
Jess