A Tear Washes the Way for a Smile and a Tail Wag

I sit at my computer this morning just humbled from the experiences of the last 4 days at Gunflint Lodge. So many dogs came to experience Dog Lover's Weekend at Gunflint and perhaps get a little help with some particular habits. What surprised me most were the dogs that did not come for any help but left with a little seed planted of love and understanding that might just grow into peace and trust from their guardians which always ends up being confidence in both. I did not mean to cause people to cry but this weekend, as I became much more to the point as my skills are advancing, the tears were rolling and the dogs were feeling more secure at each training. As humans, it is so much easier to not feel and just go with your day to day drudgery of work and toil and suffering and being misunderstood and ultimately, being alone. Loneliness is what the ego wants us to believe that we are completely alone and must fight to be understood. But when you plant a seed of love and understanding and just say, "I get what is going on" it is the same thing I suffer with, too. We can look someone in the eyes, see ourselves, and say let's help your dog feel our love. Who are you going to make cry today?

I Saw A Man About A Horse Yesterday

What a terrifying experience it must have been to come into this world and not feel safe or know the purpose of our planned trip. I call it unplanned because I still don’t exactly know what I am here to learn. Each moment that my feet touch the ground, I learn something. Some moments come to fruition and I am learning important skills. Others I spend my time in a struggle for understanding. And other moments are like this, pure bliss.

Emotions comes to us in many ways but today the bliss and peace I feel pouring through every cell in my body came to me quietly and meekly but full of love. The bliss was delivered by a farm hand in ripped Carhart jacket, Baseball Cap, worn out Jeans, and boots that had done there fair share of learning on this Earth taking one step at a time and educating himself when he is most in balance on the ground. Larry is the man and Little Girl is the horse and Kirstin is my friend and Kola is her horse and I am grateful and humbled by grace.

Kola is a beautiful Trakehner which Kirstin my friend loves to the core of her essence. A Trakehner is a type of horse called a Warm Blood, and Dressage is the discipline that Kola had been trained and succeed in. Kirstin’s purpose on her arrival to this planet was to learn from her Mother, everything there was to know on this planet about love and pass on while expanding that love. She learns these lessons daily from her Earth Mother, Betsy, who epitomizes love. I am blessed that Kirstin and Betsy permit me to call them my friends. On this day, Kirstin invited me to meet Kola today and to have a horse’s body under my hands and feel the grounding with the earth as I groomed Kola along side of her. What a blessing it was to be! All week I was excited to meet Kola and be able to help Kirstin. I counted the minutes until I met Kola but I had my day was too planned, and a profound encounter with a Mystic named Larry also entered today.

As Kola was groomed by Kirstin and I watched until the steed would invite me to touch, Larry called for me to come and work with him. His call was not to be heard from his voice but the energy of a calmness and love and being in tune with himself that draw me close like a magnet. Kola and Kirstin already had the calmness together and Larry had the calmness by himself and I would seek to find it for myself upon this magical horse farm. I observed Larry’s gait, his movement with the earth, his calmness as he greeted other horses and was amazed with his being. He was the teacher for me. I would have to get really dirty to learn everything from him because only a hard working sufferer can toil and work and be in the present moment, I thought. This would be my own sanctuary out here and there will always be work for me to do. Larry must have done something wrong, I thought, for him to slowly work in silence but be so overly in presence and a state of joy.

As I interrupted Larry with his work, I asked if there were any chores I could do to help him. He was so sure there was nothing I needed to do. Just enjoy myself spending time with Kola. I was a little miffed. I told him I really wanted to do chores and I love being back around horses and there is not much more for me to do with Kola. But you are working hard and this work must be special for you are special and I want to help. I thought all of this but I might have well as said it. He then brought me over to show me a horse that needs some attention, Little Girl. She was going to the trainers in a couple of months and I can come out her to work on her with him because she needs some attention. Little girl is a barrel racing Appaloosa/Thoroughbred cross and just the horse for me. I smiled because I knew that meant he knew I was a worker and he was giving me a job, and Little Girl was to teach me so much. I agreed as I went to start grooming “my horse”.

I had a day full of grace and wonder and stillness filled with balance of love and goodness and hardwork and diligence. Larry was going to teach me, for that was what he did, he was a teacher. He was not a servant but the owner of the entire estate that he let others use and rent so he would continue to find himself meeting people like me so he can teach. Of course he did not say this nor would he even acknowledge this, but his gait and his smile and his warmth told me this and I know it from the core of my being.

So that is my story about a Man and a Horse, now it is time for you to find your story.

Could Elvis Presley have known the secret to dog training? Read this lyric. I am going to pet my dog right now!

Lyrics to Treat Me Nice :
When I walk through that door
Baby be polite
You're gonna make me sore
If you don't greet me right
Don't you ever kiss me once, kiss me twice
Treat me nice

I know that you've been told
It's not fair to tease
So if you come on cold
I'm really gonna freeze
If you don't want me to be cold as ice
Treat me nice

Make me feel at home
If you really care
Scratch my back and run your pretty
Fingers through my hair

You know I'll be your slave
If you ask me to
But if you don't behave
I'll walk right out on you
If you want my love then take my advice
Treat me nice

Make me feel at home
If you really care
Scratch my back and run your pretty
Fingers through my hair

You know I'll be your slave
If you ask me to
But if you don't behave
I'll walk right out on you
If you want my love then take my advice
Treat me nice

If you really want my love then treat me nice

Divine Canine

My dog has issues that need to disappear
She is naughty, defiant and cavalier.

I have taken her to trainers and behaviorists, galore.
She will listen for a day or two but sadly no more.

I am frustrated and my mood is always black.
I am tired and the breeder won’t take her back.

With screams of anger, I yelled at the ceiling,
“Why is my life so hard? I hate this feeling!”

Just then a soft muzzle licked at my hand,
She was the teacher and I listened for her command.

Embody the essence you seek in me
And we shall live in harmony.

When I am afraid be present and strong.
Loose your sense of right and wrong.

As I jump up on you and scratch your arm,
Give love to everyone and wish me no harm.

When I am distracted and hard to reach,
Caress me gently with hands that teach.

I am your dog but I will lead the way.
I will teach you peace without delay.

Breathe and let your troubles disappear,
Resistance may come, but we shall persevere.

All the answers of the universe are near,
All we have to do is choose love and not fear.

I knew my dog was special you see,
For she laid back down and winked at me.

Our future is glorious, for this woman and her canine.
Inner peace and stillness is now mine.