Recently, my good friend Bob told me that he was moving from Santa Fe, where we live, back to the Midwest where he grew up. To lose a friend to distance was disheartening amongst so much other distressing news of late.
Every day, I seem to be waking up to some earthquake: whether it’s the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases to dangerous decisions made by our elected leaders to acts of racial hatred that I thought were a thing of the past. I wonder when it will all end and we can go back to our life as it was. But that life may no longer exist. And let’s face it, life before this has always been challenging.
My Survival Toolbox
When life slaps me in the face, I delve deeply into my survival toolbox. Inside its many compartments I house an array of practices that I’ve accumulated over the years and that I use daily to help me maintain balance, perspective, and emotional resilience.
Meditation, gratitude journaling, body scans, visualizations, and Tai Chi – are some of the powerful techniques that I use on a regular basis. When a storm hits, I would be a mere puddle without them. But of all these tools there is one special practice that has benefitted me like no other. The Animal-Human Health Connection – or the wisdom that comes from living a life of mindful awareness with the animals that we love. This bond has proven over and over to me that animals aren’t just our best friends, they can also be wonderful mentors, guides, and even health and wellness allies as we journey across life’s sometimes perilous paths.
When the pandemic hit, and the ground shook us all to our core, I looked for what I could control to stabilize me but found nothing; just a reminder that control is an illusion. What can we control that cannot be taken away from us in the next moment? So, rather than grasp at these illusory straws, I turned towards the real lesson here – impermanence, and what my rescue dog Grace, might be able to teach me along the way.
“Impermanence – the state or fact of lasting for only a limited period of time.”
Grace comes from difficult beginnings. The cruelty of a man who showed her the back of his hand rather than love, a well-publicized hoarding situation that she endured for years, and a grim scar that lives permanently on her back from a mountain lion attack; these are just some of the abuses Grace has suffered.
Yet, six months later, she is a playful, loving, and joyful dog who revels in her early morning and evening walks, sleeps all day while I write, and loves to slide across the bed until she reaches the tight space between my husband and I as we sleep. I look at Grace and think of all that she has gone through, and realize that she is a magnificent teacher when it comes to letting go of the past, living in the now, not worrying about the future, and embracing impermanence.
If ever there is a message that I think that our animal friends want us to learn in this life, it is – Live fully, love deeply, and laugh generously. This is the lesson that I take with me this week, whatever the news may bring.
Stay Pawsitive,
Carlyn MDO 💜
PS: What’s the greatest lesson your best animal friend has taught you during the Covid-19 pandemic? Please share it below so we can all benefit from your animal friend’s wisdom.
That;s a great message, Carlyn. Thanks. I have to admit that a sort of existential sadness is in the air, and one must do all that one can to stave it off and love life right now, and, yes, a pet and the love it engenders can be a real good path to that state, absolutely!
Thx for your comment Rich. I also feel that existential sadness move through me in waves from time to time. Especially in the earlier days, not so much at the moment. Being such a talented artist, I imagine you are finding the path forward through your amazing artwork.All I have to do is look at that beautiful picture that you painted for me of Dakota and I to remember what I love about life.
I see my sister’s two dogs every weekend when I visit & am blessed to join them on their walks. Each time I arrive it is such a joy to be welcomed by their open hearts and true delight when the see me. They forgive me for leaving the herd during the week and make me feel loved and special. They have taught me to be less wrapped up in my own petty annoyances & be more considerate of others.
That’s awesome, Suzanne. To be the recipient of that kind of unconditional love is a pretty extraordinary gift. I notice that my dog, Grace gives me a lot of that when I wake up in the morning. All that love first thing is better than a cup of coffee any day!
Wow, this is so, so true. Living in the moment like she is doing really, truly is the best thing to do.
Gosh, I just love that pup, Grace. ❤️ 🥰
Grace is definitely very special, as I think are all of our animal friends. Angels sent to guide us. To living in the moment and all it brings!
Hi Carlyn-I love the photo of Grace looking at “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” whenever I hear this song/see a rainbow it reminds of longings of a spiritual nature, and the desire to connect to nature for it’s beauty and wonder and its healing powers. For the past few weeks, I have been reading a book “The Elephant Whisperer” by Lawrence Anthony and it has moved me to thank God for the precious, beautiful gift of animals that has been given to us, not only my companions dog and cat, but for all animals, thank you God!
Thank you, Helen, for your thoughtful comment and letting us all know about your profound experience with The Elephant Whisperer. I am always moved when I hear “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” by Israel kamakawiwo, as this was the song that played as I walked up the aisle to marry my husband. I agree with you, all animals are gifts. The world will be a different place when we realize this.