Doggie Style

I had always shied away from dogs...well, at least ever since I was attacked by a little black scottie when I was 4 years old. About 5 years ago I lived with a lady who had the sweetest HUGE doberman pincher that looked deadly but could only offer the most loyal HUGE love. My heart and mind melted and slowly opened to the possibility that all dogs might not be scary. It is that way with many things that we have experienced past trauma with; it usually takes a good deal of time and loving care to move beyond the habitual response of self-protection. I was grateful for this.

Since then, I have enjoyed the company of many dogs, including my mom's clever & playful Basenji/Pit Bull mix named Charlie, but never wanted to take on the responsibility to live with one. My mother asked me to take care of Charlie when she went away many times. I agree it makes sense to have a close family member care for our beloveds when possible, but I was so resistant because I knew what a lifeSTYLE change it would entail. I would be responsible for another's LIFE and I would have to alter my self-centered free form lifeSTYLE. Not being a mother or pet owner, I have always been free to move freely and literally sleep around at a momo-moments notice. Taking care of Charlie meant agreeing to walk & feed him twice daily and sleep in the same house with him for 3 weeks! I would actually take on the house, garden, bedroom, animal and day to day habits of my Mom. Woah!

The fact that I am doing all I can now to raise funds for building the new MomoButoh Dance Studio this summer and that it was a gift for my mom's birthday convinced me to go for it. Thus, for the past 3 weeks I totally changed my daily style and now can truly say it was wonderful. A true highlight was my friend John's birthday spent dancing with Charlie on the beach. Watch the film below and I hope you will smile as much as we did at Charlie's antics. He taught me a whole new Doggie Style dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh8rGRAA77w

In my mom's house there is a Joke-a-Day calendar and the first day there the joke read something like this:

Q: "How can you tell that a dog is man's best friend?"

A: "Lock both your wife and your dog in your car trunk and come back a few hours later and see who is really glad to see you."

Yesterday was our last walk together and honestly, I miss Charlie already as he became such a loyal and loving companion. I can't believe I feel this way but I look forward to another opportunity to dog-sit again soon. I learned some very important lessons about commitment, exercise, playfulness, unconditional love and forgiveness from Charlie that will stay with me for a lifetime. Thanks Charlie, we love you!

And thanks Lee (and Mary Oliver) who always have just the right poem for the occasion. We love you too!

music: the rachels

I Ask Percy (Charlie) How I Should Live My Life

Love, love, love, says Percy (Charlie).
And hurry as fast as you can
along the shining beach, or the rubble, or the dust.

Then, go to sleep.
Give up your body heat, your beating heart.
Then, trust.

~ Mary Oliver ~