Muchness

Dogs have muchness. Pluck. Passion. Joie de vie! That depth of feeling found in puppies and children is never totally extinguished with age and experience in our dogs. Although an old dog may not hop up at every sound or human movement, they are still eager to go for a walk and enjoy a delicious yummy when the occasion arises. When they stop doing these things, we tend to get nervous.

"Something's wrong with Fido, he's just not acting right" .  That's usually when dogs end up at the vet.

Where does this ability to live in the moment come from? Some might say ignorance. Others would attribute it to simply instinctual behaviors, nothing more complex. But as we all know, there's no joy like the joy of a dog.  No playtime as fervent, no loyalty as passionate, or no food more enticing (than our own) to a dog. If we watch them do their doggie thing, they are fully there. Present. Engaged. Giving their all.

I find it tough to do this. It's a constant struggle, a conscious effort. What's the reward?
Muchness. In all things and not looking back with regrets or shame.

A few months ago we had a lost pup wander into the clinic, muddy and tired from what was surely an ill-conceived attempt to run away during a thunderstorm. The poor kid was shaking and tired; nerves fried from her ordeal. It was still early in the morning but we called the # on her collar. Mom said she'd be on her way. Without thinking, I grabbed some shampoo and towels and began to wash the poor dog. She was small, and stood on her hind legs to sniff me as I washed the dirt and worry away. She was safe. The storm was over and she licked my face. I was a stranger to her, just living in the moment, doing one good thing for its own sake, and loving every minute of it.  I felt just like a dog.

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