Sunday, July 13, 2008

NOT a Big, Black Dog


This is Jake. He’s a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. I bet most of you have never even heard of one before!! This is the fourth one I’ve known personally – Dad likes them. First there were Robbie and Charlie, then Sandy, now there’s Jake. They all had much longer, Scottish names.

I spent Wednesday afternoon with Dad and Jake for a while. Jake’s four, and a retriever, and he’s not getting enough exercise cuz Dad’s knee doesn’t allow walking the dog, and his general level of weakness after the crisis at Easter doesn’t let him stand around and throw a ball much. My sister goes up a couple of times a week and does as much as she can.

Wednesday, I threw the ball for half-an-hour. I haven’t played baseball since six years ago. So, I haven’t thrown for that long. My shoulder twinged a little after, and I thought it would hurt like heck the next day, but it didn’t.

And I’ll tell you something. I’ve been thinking about mindfulness. Throwing a ball for a dog is nuthin’ BUT mindful. You focus on how wet and slippery the ball is (it’s not disgusting if you love the dog); and the motion of the throw; and how he finds it when you throw it over that way instead; and how happy he looks bringing it back; and how it’s time for him to stop and drink some water now cuz it’s hot. I TOTALLY recommend it as a practice for staying in the moment and for doing something for someone else.

6 comments:

Fran said...

That totally IS mindfulness isn't it?

What a beautiful dog.

What a moving post.

I heart Kate Morningstar very much.

Kate Morningstar said...

My heart to you too, Fran.

One day this fall, I'll HAVE a drivers licence and a passport, and either a car or a rental, and I'll come and visit you. THAT would be wonderful.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hey, I've heard of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers... but then, I sort of have an inside edge in the "Dog Breeds" category on the Jeopardy game show. Kate's hitting the roads and highways of North America? Oh boy, this is gonna be interesting!

(sorry, incoplete last post, had to remove and start over!)

Jan said...

Lucky Jake. Lucky you! Thanks for telling us about your mindfulness and love!

Kate Morningstar said...

Clumber, you were the one of my friends voted most likely to recognize the breed. They are beautiful dogs, aren't they? Sadly, they're also a little frantic.

Jan, I had so much fun! I was standing there, picking up the ball again and again, recognizing the happiness inside, and knowing it all comes from God. It doesn't get better than that.