editorunleashed
As humans, our brains are set at on, all the time. Thinking, worrying, dreaming, plan- ning, wondering. It can be exhausting. Then, when we take a break from the tedium of whatever it is we think is so important, what do we do? We look at our dogs and think, “I wonder what
Anna Cooke and Robbie.
she’s thinking?” While we’re trying to figure out what
our dogs are thinking, they’re just doing whatever it is that makes them happy. It might be that they’re happy just looking back at us. Do you really believe they’re thinking, “Look at that big, round moonpie of a face. I’ll bet I can get him to take me outside to throw the ball.”? I’m pretty sure that dogs don’t think
about a thing. Dogs just do. They don’t have to think things through. There are no mental lists in their heads of the pros and cons before setting out to do something. A body of water up ahead? They’re already racing towards it before you’re able to calculate the consequences. A lizard’s carcass on the ground? That dog has already dropped on his back, all four legs splayed upwards, with a big dumb grin on his face. Bacon too close to the counter’s edge? Do you really think the dog is contemplating this?: “Well, it’s close to the edge which means it must be for me. On the other hand, my human seems preoccupied this morning and may not have meant to leave the bacon so close to my nose. However, I know if I go for it, there could be hell to pay. But,whatever. It’ll be worth it.” Of course
not.The dog instinctively grabs the brass ring, in this case, bacon. With this issue of The New Barker, we
continue to share our love of dogs through stories of how dogs are helping people. Our features, “What A Difference A Dog Makes” on page 28 and “I’ve Got Your 6” on page 32, are about dogs who are “transforming lives by serving those who cannot see, and those who have seen too much.” I love that quote from Southeastern Guide Dogs. We feature the results of a couple of contests we held on The New Barker social
6 THE NEW BARKER
media pages (Facebook and Twitter). Our haiku and poetry winners are
featured on pages 54 and 79. By the time you’re reading this, one of those lucky dog lovers will have been randomly selected to win a three day, two night stay at the very dog-friendly TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach. In another of our ongoing social
media contests, three dogs were selected to have a cocktail created in their honor using Tito’s Handmade
Vodka.The recipes and dogs are featured on page 98 along with a profile on fellow dog lover, Tito Beveridge. To anyone who volunteers in animal
advocacy, or those of you who have chosen it as a career, you are a rare breed. Some of you choose to sit on boards and raise money. Others stand in the trenches to raise awareness. Either effort is important to effecting change, and saving the lives of dogs. Both are equally difficult in that, you are always asking for something: money, help, transport, a foster home, supplies, participation. Some people see your name and phone number on their cell phones and won’t pick up. Worse still, they don’t call you back. You persevere, though, with your heads up; your skins thickened a bit more each day. You are not thinking about the what ifs or the why nots. You are just acting – with your hearts. The proof I have for dogs not thinking
(read: dogs not having a care in the world) is while they are asleep. Anyone who has had the sweet luxury of having a dog fall asleep right next to you will know what I’m talk- ing about. The breathing is so calm and steady. There is no way she’s thinking about the timeout session earlier in the day for grabbing the sandwich out of my hand. He is not worried, wondering whether or not he’ll be fed the next day. And, this I know for sure: there are no thoughts inside my dogs’ heads of deadlines, bill paying, appoint- ment-keeping or congested roadways. If you’re lucky enough to be drawn
in to this moment of bliss, and share it with your dog, then you’ve realized their gift. Without even thinking about it, dogs, through their actions, show us how precious every day is. Dogs find joy in each moment. They make us laugh. No, dogs don’t think. They merely
act with their hearts. Make someone’s day. Think, like a dog.U
www.TheNewBarker.com
Photograph by Laura Allen Studios.
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