I am not a good dog-walker. My husband is, patiently and faithfully walking our hounds twice a day, every day. At times I join him, and rarely I “pinch-hit” for him. And grumble. Our dogs are a beagle mix and a basset hound – two of the most scent-driven breeds out there. Their “walks” consist of taking a few steps and sniffing.  Repeat.  Repeat. Repeat…

I am a “get there” person. Even with something as non-goal-driven as walking the dogs, I like to accomplish something. A certain number of steps. A landmark reached. I am not patient with their olfactory endeavors. But good lord they love to sniff. LOVE IT.  There is unadulterated bliss in their sniff-filled treks. Shame on me for being so damn cranky. So lately my goal has been to find peace for their sakes. To let them do what they are made to do; the thing that gives them the kind of ecstasy that humans rarely experience. Here is what I have learned along the way:

Lessons from My Dogs

• There is no place in particular that must be “gotten to.”
• It’s about the journey, not the destination.
• Every journey is full of smells, some stinky, and some fragrant. All interesting.
• Sometimes the stinky stuff is the most interesting of all.
• While the stinky stuff may be the most interesting, don’t get stuck in it or you will miss other smells worth smelling.
• Don’t let others pull you off of your mark, unless you’re stuck there.
• Count on your friends to help you know when you are stuck in stink.
• Know when to linger, and when to move on.
• Yesterday’s shit may be today’s rose.
• Sniffing the same place can be really comforting.
• Sniffing a new place can be really exciting.
• A combination of new sniffing spots and old sniffing spots makes for the best journey.
• Leave your mark on the world, but let it fertilize.
• Let your mark be fleeting, not permanent.
• Acknowledge and appreciate the noteworthy marks that others have made.
• Come to each moment without any expectation other than to experience that moment wholly.
• Even when the stinky outweighs the fragrant, keep sniffing.
• Lead with your nose, followed quickly by your heart, and leave the shit behind.
• At every moment, be there. And only there.
• Joy can be found:  1) Anywhere 2) Everywhere.