WAKING UP IS HARD TO DO...Some Hope And Good News From Your Dog

By Katy Cable -A 4 min Read

Right now I feel RAW! I’m so heartbroken and frustrated with the current events taking place in our country I can’t think straight. Writing a piece on caring for your dog or profiling a Pug seemed grossly insensitive.

2020 has been apocalyptic. In our nation we have over one million people infected with CoVid 19. 100,000 plus souls claimed from the virus, 40 million people unemployed, and these numbers are growing as fast as seconds scrolling on a stopwatch. We’ve been holed up at home watching small mom-and pops and local retailers forced to close their doors while big box chains are “A-OK!” to be open for business. We can’t get a haircut but you’re welcome to roam around PetSmart and get one for your dog! It’s too dangerous to attend an outdoor graduation ceremony wearing a mask and staying 6ft apart, but your welcome to gather with all your closest friends and share a picnic while you kick it on the beach.

It seems like there’s a disconnect between all this support and assistance being promised by our leaders and what’s really happening. But there is some hope and good news. And to find it you need look no further than your dog.

My pug is definitely my Spirit Guide. It’s no accident G-O-D spelled backwards is D-O-G. There’s so much we can learn from our dogs right now. Plus, they’re the most loving, patient, gentle teachers in the world. I can’t imagine trying to get through my life without one.

The pandemic has cleared the shelters. The second I bring this up people say, “I hope they won’t all be returned once the pandemic ends and people return to work!” No doubt, a few will, but many, many, more will drastically enrich the lives of their owners and change our world for the better. For starters, these new pets will be remembered as the silver lining of this pandemic. The very thing that gave people joy and got them through a scary, difficult season.

They will also be our greatest teachers. If you’re blessed with a new dog right now or it’s your first dog you will quickly see you have been given a very special gift from heaven. This little creature is put in your care for the sole purpose of loving you unconditionally. They demand nothing in return. They will put their own lives at stake to defend you. You can use and abuse them, yet they forgive. Right now, you are absolutely perfect to your dog and all they want is your love, time and attention. -And a few bites of that turkey sandwich.

On Sunday, the recent news of looting and destruction had taken a toll so I grabbed Olive and went for a stroll. While out walking I had a major "Ah-Ha! Moment". I ran into neighbors joining together to help clean and protect our community. I witnessed brothers and sisters walking side-by-side, risking their lives to take a stand and a knee against horrific misuse of power and injustice.

What resonated with me was, even with everything going on during such a heated time, nearly everyone I passed stopped to comment on my adorable little Pug Olive. I saw the sheer magic of a dog, watching people get happier at the mere sight of her. Anger and tension quickly melted away and was replaced with ear-to-ear smiles.

Just as I was basking in the glow of this unity and love, something else struck me. Olive got all riled up by another dog coming our way. The owner was embarrassed and trying to calm their dog who was up on hind legs, barking and going ballistic. This pup was ready to take my face off. As we crossed the street to give them some space, the owner apologetically said, “I’m so sorry, she’s a new rescue!”

While it was unnerving and scary, I immediately saw the similarity to what’s happening in our nation. So many people out walking their “new additions.” Many, recently rescued from the gated community of the animal shelter. Along with them they bring a parting gift of fear and anxiety. Do we discard this creature? Do we throw it in a shelter to die because it’s barking for love and attention? Or, do we give it the time and attention it needs to thrive and make a difference in the world?

The shelters have cleared and we’re waking up. Possibly on the wrong side of the bed, but there’s fuel in all this anger and pain. It’s absolutely essential in order for us to take action. Just like that barking rescue dog coming unhinged, it demands we take notice! Pay attention! Wake up!

For far too long we’ve all been asleep at the wheel. Running to our jobs to earn the almighty dollar we need to survive. Returning home to numb out with Netflix and a few beers. (Or in my case, Haagen Dazs.) We’re all being used and abused to varying degrees. Corporate greed has taken over. We’ve been sold a counterfeit bill of goods.

Our priorities and values were out of whack! We have animals filling every shelter to capacity, yet many order a new puppy on Craig’s List. It’s returned a few months later when it isn’t potty trained and the novelty has worn off.

Nearly every American is in jeopardy. Our ability to earn a living wage, retire, afford a college education, receive basic healthcare, own a home or car are being ripped from our grasp. For minorities, their very freedom and safety is gone. And for what? To make a few even wealthier and more powerful. When people are stripped of everything they get angry and desperate.

Corporate American Greed is hanging us upside down. We’re being shaken by our feet until every last cent falls out of the pockets of our designer skinny jeans. The pandemic hit and we were forced to stop and wake up. And wake up we have. Just like that ballistic dog, using the only tools they know to protect themself, we too are uniting and joining together against the same enemy.

Change is hard! Change is scary! Disrupting the status quo often takes balls the size of church bells. But there’s strength and hope and beauty to be found. The shelters have cleared and our dogs are the spirit guides. Just follow their lead.

Instead of seeing only anger, rage and injustice, witness a rare opportunity to unite, take a stand and fight. We all have the power to change and make a difference or go right back to sleep because it’s easier. Ignoring the barking dog doesn’t stop the barking. It only makes you more irritable.

Our dogs have the super-natural power to change us for the better. They bring out the very best in us during the very worst of times. They’re warming our hearts and uniting us! Most importantly dogs are gently teaching us lessons we need to learn to make our world a happier, more loving place. 🐾