Quinn, enjoying every moment
My dog, Quinn, is a soon-to-be-9-year old flat-coated retriever; 70 pounds of luxurious black fur and pure love. He was only 9 weeks old when I got him, and it’s safe to say he was by far the most challenging puppy I’ve raised. I often describe Quinn as an “independent thinker” which may be a wonderful characteristic in an advanced, adult human, but can really test your patience in a puppy.
Prior to Quinn, I had raised two golden retrievers, who seemingly from birth were eager to please. After only about two years, each of the “goldens” started to transform into relatively calm and predictable household members. Not so with Quinn. His spirited energy level and (now looking back) comical antics lasted well into his 5th year. I’m sure this could have been addressed by better and more consistent training, but there you go.
Today, Quinn still has plenty of energy, and is always up for anything. Car ride? Let’s go. Walk in the woods? Absolutely. Lie on the couch for a bit? Sounds amazing. Many of the qualities that made him a challenging puppy, have actually transformed him into an awesome dog. And I really do learn from him on a daily basis.
For example, Quinn is a consistent and enthusiastic gift giver. Whenever I come home - even if I’ve only been gone for an hour - Quinn presents me with a gift. Often it’s the dish towel that hangs on a lower kitchen cabinet, or a sock from the laundry basket, or sometimes he drags a full blanket from the couch - almost tripping over himself as he goes. No matter what, the gifts are given with his whole heart, and with abundant enthusiasm as if to say “I am so happy to see you! This is for you!” His entire body wags, and he vocalizes excitedly while prancing around. And - no matter what - I am as delighted to receive his gifts as he is to present them. It’s a true lesson in the art and intention of gift giving.
But - while the gift giving lesson is important, Quinn's main lesson lately has been about how to just pay attention. Quinn has an extraordinary ability to stay extremely focused on certain tasks. Especially if sniffing is involved. Take his approach to our morning walks. It’s a brand new day! Everything is new and fresh, and Quinn takes time to sniff what feels like every single blade of grass (or stick, or bush) along our route. He meticulously sniffs up one side, then back down the other. It can sometimes take 10 minutes to walk about 100 feet. I often find myself getting really annoyed at our slow progress on these “walks,” and my instinct has been to yank him along on the leash so we can both get a little exercise.
Then one day I read somewhere - I honestly forget where I saw this - that yanking a dog away from a good sniff is like hurrying a person along in an art museum, trying to move them from one painting to the next before they are ready.
Then I just felt bad. That is exactly what I had been doing with Quinn. His sniffing ritual is probably just his way of living in the moment, and he definitely savors and celebrates every nano-second. Unconcerned with accomplishing anything, he fully experiences absolutely everything. I, on the other hand, try to hurry us along so I can check off the walk - or whatever task - on my to-do list, and move on to the next thing.
My independent thinking dog inspires me to try to slow down and fully appreciate what’s going on around us. And to celebrate the joy in the everyday. This can apply to taking a walk, or to taking a photograph. Or any creative pursuit, really. It’s a lesson I apparently need to learn over, and over, and over again. Luckily Quinn is there to help.
What is your dog teaching you?