I feel like a grown-up superhero with my canine sidekick, Sparky, a black lab/chow mix. Sparks’ ‘mom’ is currently in Thailand, so I’m pup-sitting until she returns. We’ve already had our set of adventures, including trying to bathe an unwilling 65 lb dog in the bathtub, chasing squirrels in Buena Vista Park, and occasionally waking up with a wet nose greeting.
Playtime in the Kitchen!
Lessons from Sparky
I’ve read that dogs often reflect their owners/caregivers and one can learn a great deal from paying attention. Sparky reminds me to play! It doesn’t matter if it’s 5:00 am or midnight, she’s always up for throwing a tennis ball or her pink squeaky toy. She also encourages me to stop and literally smell the flowers, pee stains, bushes, and anything else she feels like sniffing.
Every time we go for a walk, we get about 30 steps (if even) before she stops to check out the new sights and smells. With Pepper, our “18 pounds of attitude” family dog, I could easily pull her along after a full minute of sniffing, but 65 lbs of a dog pulling in the other direction is an entirely different story, especially if she sees a squirrel. My arms are definitely getting stronger.
Her stretches every morning show me that I need to get back into yoga pronto, and I’m slowly starting to let go of the idea that I can actually keep everything spotless and hairless. I’ve been sweeping two or three times a day, and it feels like there’s still hair everywhere. Fortunately, Sparky is very well trained, so I’m not picking up after other messes in my living space.
Buena Vista Park
Freedom in the Park
My favorite time with Sparks is when we go to the park, and I let her off leash in wooded areas in spurts. Pepper, although lovable and adorable, was not as well trained and had a knack for getting free and not returning for hours, so it’s a relief that when I call Sparky, she actually returns.
I love that moment when I unclip her leash she literally propels herself up a 3-foot chasm and runs. She embodies pure joy and freedom, dirt flying up from her tireless pursuit of squirrel chasing and exploring new frontiers.
In short, Sparky reminds me to live, to enjoy the moment, and ravish in all the unturned grass and pine straw in the world. I’m sure there will be many more adventures with my new canine teacher and pal…
This is so sweet, Jacqueline! You certainly seem fond of that dog and you express it in such a fun way! I was taken back to times of being dragged around the neighborhood by our Yellow Lab, Louie. 🙂
Thanks Brenda! Sparky definitely added play to my life!
So you have a canine friend now? I am so happy for you, and for her. Animals are gifts send by the heavens…I couldn’t help laughing when I read about your difficulties to keep the house hair free…it reminded me of the dirt of our places in China. Just we didn’t even have a pet!
Sparks…love the name, and it reminds me too of a wonderful Coldplay song.
Oh ä¸å›½…it was always a challenge to keep things clean. Remember my apartment?! Miss you!