In the Here and Now

I really admire my dog's ability to live in the present. I'd like to be able to say he has taught me his secret, but at this point in time, he's far better at it than I am. Some would argue that dogs don’t have the capacity to think of such things, but I would beg to differ. It’s not because he’s totally lacking in past experiences or anticipation of the future.

He may not remember things in the same way I do, but he does have a memory for certain people, places and things. And anyone who has ever been around an abused animal (fortunately not Boomer's case) knows that there is some type of memory at work there, because those scars can sadly last for years. But my little guy is never plagued by a case of the "would-haves" or "could-haves" or “should-haves” that I've experienced at different times in my life. I never see him all worked up because he's second-guessing something he did 2 hours ago.  

I know Boomer anticipates some future events, too. Dinner time is the most obvious. I don't know if he's hiding some kind of little wristwatch, and I'm pretty sure he has no place to put a pocket watch (I think I'd notice the chain), but somehow he knows when that time comes. And I still haven't figured out how, when riding in the car, he knows when we're almost home even when he isn't looking out the window. He knows when someone is about to come home. It's during those times that I believe he's aware of something about to happen. You can tell by his excited anticipation. But does he wring his paws fretting about his future or wear a path in the carpet as he paces back and forth worrying about tomorrow? Nope. Doesn't even cross his mind.

Why can't I live more like that? Yes, I understand that my mind is hopefully more complex than my dog's, giving me the ability to process more intricate thought—for better and for worse. But I think there is more at work here. The first has to do with trust. Boomer trusts me to take care of him. He doesn't question whether or not I'll meet his needs for food, water, shelter or affection. He knows it will happen.

The second thing is that because his mind is simpler (no offense, buddy!), he takes things at face value. He doesn't read deeper meaning into things that he shouldn't. He can't. Perhaps that is evidence of a less sophisticated way of engaging the world, but I'd say it has its advantages.

We can learn a lot from our furry friends if we just take the time to notice what they're teaching us. Perhaps that's one reason they're here. Maybe my faith should be more like my dog’s. Unwavering. Without doubt. Solid. And I'm pretty sure I would be better off if I didn't let my mind take me off course when I read too much into situations. Think of the stress I'd purge from my life!

Do you ever wish you could approach the day like your dog, living in the moment, without the stresses of what will happen in the next hour or worried about who you might have offended yesterday? I do. Maybe in time I'll get better at it. Fortunately, he's a pretty patient teacher.