The joy of being a dog

This was the day when Moxie discovered water and the best toy ever: sticks. What a glorious day that was! I look at this picture and remember the “feel” of that day so clearly. I was so focused and worried about not letting her get hurt, ensuring she does not go too far, she does not do this, she does not do that, she doesn’t, she doesn’t, she doesn’t….

But all she did that day, was to show me her own way of exploring life and learning. I simply had to trust. I was a worried “momma”, not wanting my baby to get hurt. I can look at this now and laugh, thinking of all the worries I had and the way she discarded every single one of them.

She plunged right into the water and the vet in me panicked “oh, my God, she will get an ear infection!”. After a while, her joy of discovering life started to override my worries.  I laughed at her silliness, at the mischievous look on her face and at her way of learning “the hard way” sometimes.

We were so much alike. She loved water, just like I did, she did not want to listen at times, just like I was as a child, she would act silly even at 11-year-old. She maintained her playfulness, even in her senior years, and she helped me rediscover mine.

She explored the water with all her senses. “Oh, it’s wet” she goes. But wait, “Oh, it’s so much fun to dive and retrieve a stick” and “Look, squirrel! Drop the stick and chase the squirrel!”

She was barely 4 months old when she discovered all that and it is amazing to see how she carried her joy of life throughout the years, regardless of the season, life events, people, or dogs she met, few illnesses she had and so on.

She learned to swim that day, and she was so graceful doing it! One of my favourite memories with her was when we went swimming together in a lake in BC. Gliding through the water initially, just like two princesses who must maintain composure, just to realize, later that the “princess role” does not fit us. We started giggling like little kids (yes, dogs giggle too!), splashing, and having a grand time, then coming to the shore all exhausted, laying on the grass and allowing the sun to warm up our bodies and our hearts. We sat by the fire in the evening, talking to good friends and feeling so connected to Mother Earth.

I still do this, swim in the lakes, sit by the fire, have great conversations with good friends. Each time I do it, I feel her loving presence, so warm, so close, so good.

This picture was taken 17 years ago, when Moxie was a baby, but the feel of it, the reality of it lives forever. The goodness of her heart is still out there, she is still helping others heal, rejoice and play.

Let us not forget to play now and then, my dear friends! Let’s bring the giggles out, laugh until your tummy hurts, love until your love overflows, crack a smile every so often! Challenge your sadness, sorrow, and heartache, even if this means watching funny dogs’ videos! Surprise your heart! Gift your heart some giggles, she may surprise you back with overwhelming joy.