Dog Life Lessons-The Art of Letting Go

You all know the phrase, "Like a dog with a bone."  How a dog is when given something precious will not let go of it and usually has to be taught to let go.  And it is tough lesson for a dog to learn because they just want to hang on and keep it forever.

One of Chance's favorite games is jumping and chasing for a toy that is on a rope or line.  He also enjoys this with the water hose when I swing it around.  He is quite good at it and loves testing his skills.  Chance learned early that in order for the game to continue, he had to let go of the toy or hose so that I can swing it around again.  He learned how to have fun by letting go and not holding on.  Sure we play some tug-a-war but he knows that in order to get the game moving again, he has to let go of the toy.  Something I didn't teach him, at least with any command or signal, he seemed to figure it out on his own.

I wish it were that easy.

I've been trying to let go of something I've held onto for a long time.  I am like that dog with a bone, hanging on with that clamping grip.  I have a long ways to get to Chance's level but every day we play together he reminds me that it can be done.  Little by little I've been able to unclench my fist and begin to let go.  Thankfully Chance is quite patient with me and is more than willing to show how he does it!  He knows the secret.  When you let go, that's when you really get to play!



How is your dog at letting go of things?  How are you?

Just for You Angel

 This dedication to Angel comes to you through Daddy's eyes.  Angel was one of our homed pups from our litter who died almost a week ago today.  We would like to give special thanks http://www.dogtrainingcollars.com for making this post possible.

It seems like it was only yesterday when Silver and Brut made us grandparents on Jan. 2, 2008.  Starting at 2:50 in the morning when the first of ten live births begun with Zappa until Fiona was finally born at 9:15 that same morning.  In my whole life I have never witnessed such an awesome sight.  Zappa was the first Husky, Red was the first white one and Angles was the first black and white one.

Never in my life have I witnessed such a miracle, one after another, ten puppies being born with about a half hour in between each one;  while Silver did what she had to do before the next one was to come.  I am still amazed to this day the event that happened the morning of Jan. 2, 2008.  I just feel so blessed from God that I was able to see the whole thing from beginning until the end.  I still can’t describe in words how it made me feel, but I do know that it changed me.  I knew I was never going to be the same person I was before.  The roots, the humble beginning, where the 24 Paws of Love first came to be.

I did witness the birth of my son and at the time that was the most awesome thing I ever witnessed, but that was nothing compared to witnessing the birth of ten puppies alive and well.  From that day on I came up with the term “The Power of Ten.”  Each puppy was just as important as the other.  I wanted to keep each one and as each day went by that feeling became stronger and stronger, but I knew that because of money it wasn't going to be possible.  It really tore me up inside.  Money the root of all evil.  I have always hated that issue.

When you look at the world around that we live in, with so much bad and pain and suffering, it seems people just don’t know how to live.  But when you live 24/7 right from the beginning watching a litter of puppies from day one as each one grows in such a short period of time with the interactions between them and the innocents of play, eating, going outside to explore and the team work they all have together, you realize that is the way it suppose to be.

That’s why Angel stood out from the rest of her brothers and sisters.  She was a little different from the rest.  She was always doing things faster than everyone.  She escaped from the whelping bed first and got up on our bed and she could get back in the whelping bad just as fast as she got out.  She was a very loving puppy and a good example of what living a good life is all about.  We were so grateful that we found a good home for her.  A girl who was good with dogs, had dogs all her life and there was no doubt that Angel was very much loved by her.

We never had a problem when we wanted to go see Angel and every time we got to her reactions was the same.  She would just go crazy knocking me down with kisses.  She seemed to be saying, “Thank you so very much for loving me and taking good care of me when I was younger.”  I have never had anyone so excited to see me and she reacted like that every time I saw her.  You would think that after a two or three years the reaction would change, even just a little bit, but it never did.  Even up until the last time we saw her alive, her reaction was just as crazy as the first time.

As I’m looking at her picture right now I’m still having a hard time believing Angel is gone.  Matter of fact if it wasn't for us being there and seeing her lie in the back of the pick up, so still, like she was sleeping, I still wouldn't believe it.  I am not a very visual person, but I can see her running up the embankment to cross the road to go home and being hit by the truck that didn't see her in the fog.  I still can’t get this out of my mind and I am so grateful that after laying there for the days she did, in a wooded area no other animal did anything to her body.  It was bad enough just seeing her the way she was.  There was no visible signs of damage except her back end and legs were twisted.  Looking at her like that will haunt me for a long, long time.  I will be mourning for some time.

As I petted her and kissed her one last time then helped put her in her final resting place, I really didn't know what I was feeling.  Angel’s parents put her dog sled racing harness on her body and put Angel's own pillow under her head after laying her in the ground.  As they were putting the dirt over her I just wanted to shout, “Stop!  I want to take her home.”  But I didn't   Nothing would change what had happened to our little Angel.

As we were riding home I realized that she was gone from the physical world, but that she will always be with us in the spiritual world.

When we got home the 24 Paws of Love knew something was wrong, other than the fact it was walk night, each one smelled our hands and could sense the loss.

And I think one of the hardest things is that we had the whelping bed in the corner of our bedroom where now is Zappa’s and Fiona’s built in crates is the corner where it all began.

Angel may be gone, but she is still very much alive in spirit, along with Brut, Silver, Zappa, Fiona, Chance and Blaze at the home of the 24 Paws of Love.

to be continued...

Thank you for all of your support and comments about our loss.  Just to let you all know, dog (and cat) people are the best people in the whole world and I consider you all my best friends.  May God Bless You All.

Letting Go

It isn't always easy to turn the reins over to your dog.  Though I have done it several times,(here), contrary to how it may seem, I don't let go very easy.  It takes some convincing, especially when I am having an inner conflict with my emotions and feelings that I am trying to keep at bay.  It is hard enough for me to trust as it is, but giving a canine full control can be scary.  I always question whether I am reading the dog's signals right or if my emotional state has compromised my judgement.  I flounder with the idea because, whether I let go or not, I am still responsible for my dog and have a fear of not regaining control when I need to.

What may feel like a giving up of control is actually a trust exercise of being lead by my dog as we work through this together.

The first thing I noticed when I started walking Chance was that he was in "drive or pull" mode.  Dead on.  Straight forward.  He wasn't lunging or veering just intent on moving forward.  My walk wasn't quick enough for him and I felt him urge me on, but I held back.  We squabbled a bit.  I just couldn't let go of what I was holding so close to my heart.  I was scared to trust at that moment.  And while it had little to do with Chance, who has never let me down, the fear was strong.  He gently pulled, I began to jog, hoping to satisfy his need.   To my surprise he challenged my pace.  All the while encouraging me to do what I thought I could not.  As I felt my trust seep through the leash into his paws, my speed increased and I felt the trust returned. He matched my pace.  We continued to build on that foundation until the next thing I knew we were both running.  Legs flying, the pressure in my chest broke as the giggles burst through only to be greeted with Chance's crazy, wide grin glancing back.  When I thought my lungs would burst, I slowed him down. 

And we did it again and again riding on the freedom of our spirits.

I gave my trust.  Chance nurtured me through.  My pace became his pace.  Bit by bit.  He understood what I needed.  He guided with love.  I gave my faith that he would show me.


And as a trusting friend, Chance helped me do what I could not do on my own, Let Go.