Ah yes, it’s that time of year. Out with the old, in with the new–with all the dreams and hopes and resolutions that come along with the annual ritual of taking down the old wall calendar and putting up a new one.
I learned long ago that casually made New Year’s resolutions are quickly broken, and, more often than not, lead to feeling badly about yet another thing that we haven’t accomplished. You can read more about this in the New Year’s blog that I wrote in 2010, explaining that effective resolutions should be thought of as commitments that are best kept if 1) they are focused and specific, 2) they are attainable (just like dog training, right?: set yourself up for success) and 3) they are made public.
I do love going back and reading what I’ve written in year’s past. For example, in 2010, one of my commitments was to get Willie working sheep at a greater distance and in front of people more often. Little did I know that he would sustain a severe shoulder injury in February that would keep him from working sheep for the next 15 months. But, last summer we attended three sheepdog clinics and competed in 4 trials. Patience is a virtue Trisha, keep repeating that…
And so, with full awareness that life happens and no one knows what adventures and challenges 2015 will bring, here are my commitments for 2015:
1. DANCE… ( …like no one is watching; thank you Mark Twain, or William Purkey, or whoever said it first.) I’ve been re-reading The Gifts of Imperfection by one of my favorite non-fiction writers, Brené Brown, and am struck by her research that happy people living “wholehearted” lives consider dance, music and laughter to be important items on one’s To Do list. The To Do list that I write each morning has never included such “frivolities” as “dance by yourself in the living room.” Heaven knows I am good at writing lists: I have been known to write a list of the lists that I need to write, but they focus on accomplishments like “Go to the Bank. Take Tootsie to vet. Write blog.” We all have lists like that, right? But what about feeding our spirits and our souls? I would argue that is partly what our dog are for–who has to write “rub your dog’s belly” or “take dogs on a walk” on a To Do list?
However, for 2015, I am intentionally adding: “Dance in the living room to 60’s music three times a week.” I’ve done it before, and Willie thinks it is a hoot. You know where I’m going next:
2. SING… ( …like no one is listening.) I can’t emphasize the importance of the “no one is listening” part here. I can not carry a tune. For that matter, I can’t pick up a tune, nor even find it even if it is lying on the ground in front of me. You do not want to be within 50 yards of me if I am singing. But singing is good for us, as is joining our voices to others as a way of helping us to feel connected to the rest of humanity, so, along with 1. Dancing in the Living Room, I am adding 2. Sing in the car three times a week. This is not the time for you to ask me for a ride. I’m just saying.
3. LAUGH… especially with others. Jim and I now watch my two favorite TV shows together–Big Bang Theory and Whose Line Is It Anyway? I don’t have to write this on my To Do list, it seems to happen all by itself. But I have rarely been to live stand up comedy shows, and I’m putting that on my New Year’s Not-Resolutions-but-Commitments list.
4. MAGGIE/WILLIE/TOOTSIE There are some more traditional commitments for my dogs: Maggie needs to meet more non-Border Collies and get used to them coming into the house, along with more time out and about in varied environments. (Be specific Trisha: Welcome a visiting dog or get Maggie off the farm at least once a week over winter.) Tootsie needs some mental exercise. (Teach her a new trick every month this winter.) Willie needs more time just he and I, and a little less time with Maggie mugging him for attention. (Add evening trick time with Willie into the evening’s activities. He loves tricks and I suspect he misses the time that he and I used to play in the living room together. Three times a week?)
And you? Let me ask first: What are you going to do for YOU this year? I hear so many dog lovers talk about all the things they do for their dogs, including the most common line: “My dogs eat better than I do.” What if this year, you treated yourself with the care and compassion that you give to your dogs? You can think of it as something that actually is for your dogs if you need to–what does your dog want more than you, after all?
Any other specific, attainable and now oh-so-public commitments that you want to make? I, and all the other readers, would love to hear them. (Or stories about resolutions from years past that resulted in something wonderful? Or abject failure? All stories are welcome!)
One more thing: I’m going off the grid next week and not turning on anything that has to be charged up every night. Thus, there’ll be no blog until I return to life as we know it on Monday January 12th. I’m taking the week to recharge myself instead of my electronic equipment. I do hope you have a wonderful New Year’s–I’d love to hear about it either this week before I unplug on Friday night, or when I return. Until then, Happy New Year to you all! I wish I could give each and every one of you a big hug.
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Someone turned the lights on and the sun FINALLY came out after three weeks of clouds and rain. No snow, but at least the deep, squishy mud is gone now that the temperature has gone back to normal.
I made progress on Commitment 4A yesterday, when dear friends brought Tundra over, their Great Pyrenees with a soupcon of Golden Retriever added into the mix. Tundra was busy sniffing and patrolling the perimeter at first (just like Tulip used to do). Isn’t Tundra gorgeous? Thank you Beth and Gary for bringing her over!
She didn’t want to play with the BCs at first, so Jim got her started playing with him!
It took a while, but eventually Tundra decided that playing with Maggie & Willie might be fun, and they had some joyful (albeit brief) moments together. I suspect that they will be great playmates once they are better acquainted. Did I mention how wonderful it was for me to have a big, white fluffy dog back at the farm? Hopefully we’ll get to see Tundra more often, we all had such a good time!
Janice says
We resolve to help our fearful rescue pup settle in more. She is still having accidents in the house, mostly because we’re not tuned into her body language (frantic dashing from room to room) enough. Also she’s still very frightened of my partner’s adult son and we continue to work on that with him, and her.
Susan S. says
I received a “fitbit” for Christmas. ‘Nuff said.
As to the dogs, my resolutions are very similar to yours. I want to walk my somewhat cautious young dog up & down the main drags of the small towns around me, maybe weekly. He’s too isolated here, & while he actually gets three offleash walks almost every day (two short, one long) they’re country walks. He can be woofy in strange situations. We do have visits from other dogs. When it’s cold like today they want to come in (very shorthaired dog), & when they’re in they want to play raucously in the house. Putting the younger dog in a down stay seems like dog torture. I want to teach him a way to play quietly, like tooth fencing lying down maybe. Good luck to me. The third thing is to do tricks with my dogs one at a time, which is difficult with two big dogs in a small house in winter. I always feel sorry for the dog closed off in the bedroom who can hear those cues & clicks & can smell those treats. The whining gets to me. This year I’m going to tough it out & do it, daily if I can.
Kat says
I have a penchant for almost finishing projects; I get them to the point where all they can be used but they lack the finishing touches and get distracted by something else. For myself this year I commit to finishing completely one project per month.
For the dogs I commit to having them practice taking turns at least once per week; Ranger enjoys the training time and Finna needs the practice in self-control. I was pleased, the other day when I had them taking turns walking front feet only on the treadmill one dog on each side and I was able to cue them on and off. Of course the dog waiting for their turn is also getting rewarded since, especially for Finna, waiting is also a skill that needs practice and reinforcement.
I’ll also commit to putting Finna in the car at least once a week. I want her to learn the car is a safe place for her so she can go more places.
I’ll commit to spending weekly training time with Ranger perfecting his ‘take a bow’ and ‘say your prayers’ and teaching new tricks. Currently Ranger believes that ‘take a bow’ means to down slowly front end first and saying his prayers is pretty sloppy although still a crowd pleaser at the senior daycare.
And finally, I’ll commit to teaching The Great Catsby to walk on a leash and to join the dogs in walking on the treadmill. That’s going to mean dedicated training time at least once a week. At the moment I’m able to put his harness on so that’s a start in teaching the cat to walk on a leash and he’ll at least come close to the treadmill when it’s running so a start there as well.
maggie moss says
Thanks Patricia , Your blogs inspire me. Over the holidays reading Linda P Case’s M.S. new books , ‘Dog Food Logic’ so interesting a solid read , a book I know I will be referring to many times over. Next is’ The Straw Man’ Looks like lots of things to ponder over in that book .
I wish you and Animal Family all the best for 2015xxxx
Gayla says
I thought Tundra was a Kuvasz, at first… What a magnificent looking dog!
EmilySHS says
Oh! So sweet… this last summer I held a canine freestyle class for my advanced clients and we never had so much fun, dancing with our dogs. Just adding the music made all the old heel work and tricks special… and so beautiful to watch. The fun we had trying out different music to see what fit us and our dogs best… finding a number for my Tinker, who has two speeds–amble and explode–who knew the theme from Jurassic Park would be so perfect? So now we’re working on a cue called “Dinosaurs!”–walking on hind legs like a T-rex. Anyhow, my point being–for those of us short of time, it’s possible to dance, and sing, and train the dog all in one swell foop. 🙂
My resolution: to get up a little earlier in the morning on my work days. I notice that if I leave myself just a little extra time to get ready, feed the cats, walk Tinker before I get to the shelter, I’m so much more relaxed all day–if I have to rush to start, I’m frazzled right out of the gate. Just that extra half hour makes all the difference. So I have a spiff new smart phone and I found the alarm app, with a ringtone I actually like to wake up to. That’s the start of my ultimate goal: to slow down, stop feeling so rushed all the time, leave time to breathe and flow instead of force.
My very best wishes, Trisha, to you and yours, for a wonderful New Year, and many thanks for the precious gift of your blog, which always helps me to slow down, think and enjoy the world a little more.
Elizabeth says
Hmmm, I tend to avoid resolutions on the grounds that if I am going to change something, I should do it without an artificial start date. That would be sanctimonious if I ever actually carried through on it, but I think it’s more of an avoidance tactic!
I think I’ll resolve to stop beating myself up for not being someone else. For not being Mother Theresa and giving my life over to good works; for not being the mother from Little Women and never losing my patience; for not being Patricia McConnell and making life work better for my shy, anxious dog. I’ll resolve to try to appreciate myself for doing the best I can and not expect perfection.
And I think that’s a pretty tough goal!!
Katie Rooney says
My commitment is, in a sense, a negative. I commit to NOT become discouraged as a I lead a small band of valiant pet lovers in our pursuit to build an animal shelter in the second poorest county in Florida.
DR. McCONNELL, I thank you for being the primary inspiration, via Petline on Animal Planet, for my becoming a dog trainer and wish you the all the best in 2015.
Jackie D says
(1) I have signed up for an online course for reactive owners 😉 ie helping you learn new behaviours to help your dog, rather than just concentrating on the dog’s behaviour. The course comes highly recommended by people I know. I also am going to do the practice excercises with both my dogs, as appropriate to their needs/what they can cope with.
(2) Practice scentwork with Lucy more often.
(3) Do more gardening
(4) Do more exercise.
At this point i know what you will say – BE MORE SPECIFIC on 2-4 🙂 I’ll have a think about that.
Trisha says
Susan S: Good luck with the fitbit! I’d love to hear what you think. And also with the whining. Tootsie too is a whiner when you leave her in her crate and have the other dogs out. I feel your pain. It is something I should work on too, thanks for reminding me!
Kat: I was reading up once on ADHD because I had a client’s dog that I thought fit the pattern. (It did, and medication actually changed the dog in the best of all possible ways.) But while reading I thought OMG… this book is describing me on a bad day. I am not suggesting that you are in that category, but I do know the feeling of being excited about this and that project. Until, well, you get partway done, and then some shiny, new idea crops up and… So good for you for committing to finish projects. And kudos to your ambitious commitments to Finna, Ranger, and the Great Catsby.
To EmilySHS: Love the combo of dancing with your dog… music, dance, dogs all tumbled together. I have always thought that would be great fun myself. If I ever am unable to do sheepdog work, that’s what I will pick up. (If I am allowed to sing while practicing. Alone, of course, except my poor dog will have to listen.)
Elizabeth: Best resolution ever to stop beating one’s self up for not being someone else. You might want to pick up everything and anything that Brene Brown has ever written. Her books are the absolute best I’ve ever read about accepting who we are, and being as compassionate to ourselves as we are to others (on our good days).
Katie: What a great commitment! I see it as you committing to have the stamina and courage you need to accomplish something that will clearly be a great challenge. I imagine you writing COURAGE! STAMINA! over your mirror, on your frig and above your computer. [I have a photo of Xena Warrior Woman by my computer, courage always being in short supply at my house.]
Jackie D: Love the ‘reactive owner’ class! Brilliant.
Chris Vereide says
Tundra is gorgeous. We had a Great Pyrenees when I was a kid. She was the most gentle, loving dog – truly a gentle giant.
My resolutions are:
1. Pass an ORT (K9 nosework) on birch, anise and clove
3. Get a NW1 title
2. Pass a TD tracking test
-with my Greyhound, Eja, who loves any kind of scent work. He’s got a great nose and I know he can do it. The only catch is if the person on the other end of the leash will train enough with him this year to do it. We’ll have to train at least twice a week in nosework throughout the year and at least twice a week in tracking (once the weather is a little warmer) throughout the year.
Christy Paxton says
I sing and laugh every day, and boogie nearly that often, so I can attest to how marvelous those resolutions will be to keep (BTW my dog Tawny loooves to hear me laugh and will egg me on!). Two biggies for me that are challenging but attainable are:
1) Stay focused on one goal at a time. I also am a victim of Shiny Ball Syndrome, which means nothing gets done.
2) Go easier on myself. I will say up front I am a recovering perfectionist, so that tells you a lot. I always drive myself hard and in years past it has yielded good results. But now, in addition to running my business, I am responsible for the care of a family member, and my Best Laid Plans lay in tatters at my feet. I can’t keep telling myself I can do it all if I just work harder/smarter/faster. I discontinued my group classes because of this situation, and I am still beating myself up over that. It’s time to stop.
Hey, I don’t usually do resolutions either, but I like the sound of these! Thanks for suggesting. Happy New Year!
LisaW says
I, too, can’t carry a tune, but I love to sing and have stored decades of songs in my head (taking up valuable space for other things I might need to know someday). This has led to a new ritual in our house. We start our day with a song-o-the-day (YouTube-style) based on a random association of a word or phrase. It all started when my partner offhandedly asked, “What’s it all about?” My response was “Alphie?” And so it began. We’ve been doing this for the last two months when there have been some deep personal losses and health challenges, but my resolution is to keep it going even when things seem less sad. It’s a great way to take a few moments and get lost in song (and sing along).
My commitment to our dogs is to be more patient and try to always ask them: “How’s this for you? How you doing?”
Happy New Year to all, and thank you for all you do, Trisha.
Crystal says
I need to work with my baby girl. I didn’t realize how bad she had become until our last vet visit, they couldn’t do anything to her because she would not let them restrain her at all, or even hold a leg. I was kind of embarrassed. So we are got to start with paws (so maybe I can do nails, too? a personal weakness!).
I want to slip five or ten minutes of training into my day, like you are supposed to. But they both get so excited when I get out the treats. If we are all sitting cuddling on the couch, I don’t want to disrupt that. I should do it right after dinner when they are amped up.
As for me, I just need to maintain balance in my life. I’ve got three more semesters in my graduate program. I am choosing not to apply to another part time job even though it would be really good experience because I know it will be too much. A year from now, maybe, but not right now. (two classes, part time job, TAing and personal commitments- girl dog in agility, I’m taking horseback riding lessons again, this is enough for any sane person, I need to quit while I’m ahead)
HFR says
Nothing to add, but wanted to take the opportunity to wish you and yours a wonderful New Year and a 2015 filled with lots of singing and dancing.
And, even though we’ll all miss you terribly, have a wonderful unplugged week. I’ll bet that at the end of it, you’ll be running to meet that plug and outlet together once again. For our sake, I hope that’s what happens anyway.
Thank you for all the work you put into this blog. It is truly not only a great help to a lot of people, it also makes Mondays so much easier to bear.
Have fun!
Frances says
There is something about making resolutions that has me immediately want to break them, but I am going to file away what you say about paying as much attention to my own health and fitness as I do to that of my dogs, and pull it out and examine it in a week or two. I have already been wondering how come I whip Sophy to the osteopath at the first hint of a twinge, but have been ignoring my own aches and pains for years!
Margaret McLaughlin says
Nina’s & my life together has reached the point where it’s time to be SPECIFIC. So, in 2015, an AKC CD, NA, NAJ. A UKC CD, AG2, & whatever the birch Nosework will be called now that it’s gone under the UKC umbrella. So there. We will do it.
Sherrie says
New to you on Facebook but am enjoying your insights. Very thought prevoking. 2014 was a tough year for my family and a couple of my close friends so in addition to seeking wise counsel I got a puppy. While I totally believe in rescue I got a Rottweiler and I have to say he is rescuing me. He has gotten me out to meet my neighbors, for more exercise and off to training classes. I plan to laugh more, get out more and not be too hard on myself for what doesn’t get done. Celebrate what does get done! Have a great week unplugged and a Happy New Year 🙂
em says
I’ve been giving this topic quite a lot of thought lately, because this past year, an idea that started as a whisper in the corner of my mind has gotten steadily more insistent, and I think I’m finally going to have to bring it out in the open and face it head on.
Broadly speaking, what has been troubling me is the notion that my wellness needs are starting to diverge from my dogs’. For the past six years, this really has not been the case- tending to my dogs’ need for exercise, mental challenge, companionship, and nutrition brought me tremendous benefits. I am so eternally grateful for the changes that they brought to my life- Our morning walks have all but eliminated my seasonal affective issues, their very presence has helped me learn to set boundaries in other parts of my life so that my other roles (work, family, friends) don’t just swallow me up- they’ve given me “permission” to take time for myself. The dogs have been a challenge and a motivation to be more active and more patient and more thoughtful in everything I do and in return, they have been island of joy and peace and stability for me in the center of my life. God willing, they will continue to be so for years to come.
But. Otis is eight and Sandy is eleven. They’re both in great shape, and people often gasp when I reveal their ages (especially about Sandy, who isn’t visibly gray), and I’m tremendously proud of that. However, we are coming to the point where their exercise and activity needs are falling- they don’t want to hike challenging trails for hours and hours and hours any more. They still like to hike, and they still like to play, and I’ll never take that away from them, but my own middle age has been creeping up on me just as the dogs are rounding the corner into their golden years and it’s time I faced the facts: I need more exercise than the dogs do.
Which means I have to find a way to exercise without the dogs. So that’s my resolution: In addition to our walks and play and training time, thirty minutes of vigorous exercise without the dogs at least three times a week.
Mireille says
Good to read that I am not the only one who needs te be more easy on herself 🙂
2014 was a year with a lot of work-related stress and physical injury for hubby and me. I hope in 2015 we will be able to start getting fit again.
So my resolutions for 2015;
1. enjoy something every day; silly dog play, music, dancing, sing! (The latter also without public, when I told my hubby the dogs run faster in front of the scooter when I sing, het accused me of animal cruelty)
2. Make time for exercises for my back & yoga practice. 30 min every day and an hour 3-4 times a week
3. Find a training cours scent work for Spot & attend classes with Shadow now that the chemical castration is making them less reactive (= perfect training window, we’ll see what happens after 6 mo’s, if things get back to ‘hyper active short fuse dogs” I can add ‘comvince hubby that castration is a good idea)
4. Find good fysiotherapist for Spot to help me with training / massaging his back legs
5. Focus on the good things in life 😉 not very specific, I know, but lately I have been re-training myself in seeing more of the things I have achieved instead of focusing on what we still have to do. So every now and then I make a list of all the things we did that were right or all the things that we like about the dogs f.i.
Ok, Spot is now reminding me that it is hign time to go n play with him. Sorry,have to go 🙂 🙂
And Trisha, enjpy your recharge week. Good idea!
diane says
I resolve to remind myself that life is too short to worry about the small stuff. Be happy with what is important (family, and a wonderful dog), and try to have more fun with them while I have them! I do already dance in the living room . . . and thanks to a responsive dog who is wise to obedience and some trick commands . . . we boogie together. It’s a hoot.
My wishes for a very Happy New Year to all!
Katy says
My dog-related resolutions are to walk in town at least once a week with the younger dogs, individually. Al, the cattle dog, needs more stimulation and work on leash manners and my boy dog needs to relearn that not all new dogs are going to attack him (he was attacked by a neighbor’s dog at Thanksgiving when they left the dog outside despite knowing their invisible fence was broken). I have also resolved to teach Al one new trick a month.
Not quite dog-related, my last resolution is to have company for dinner at least once a month, to take advantage of my kitchen renovation and to keep myself from allowing work to eat all my time.
Crystal – good luck finishing grad school! I remember the last few semesters being the most difficult, in terms of motivation, but maybe that’s just because I find research more interesting than revision…
Rebecca Rice says
Hmmm… specific resolutions? I am also one of those people who hates to make resolutions, because I almost immediately want to break them out of a “you can’t tell me what to do!” kind of reaction. But still…
Let’s see… for me, I will commit to going to one actual dance a month (NOT the class… an actual dance). I’m not the most social person, and dances are a bit daunting since I don’t have a partner, so I have to actually talk to strangers. But I enjoy dancing, and dancing with strangers actually is good for you, since it keeps you on your toes and you have to pay more attention. I just sometimes wish for the old days, with dance cards, that you read about in romance novels, where you would know in advance who you would be dancing with when. For those of you interested in dancing (a teensy bit more formally than just in the living room), let me put a plug in for square dancing. If you can walk and shake hands, you can square dance. And it will give you a lot of empathy for what we put our dogs through! Being expected to respond immediately and correctly to a string of calls like “Chain through, pass through, boys run right, couples circulate one time, bend the line, star through” especially after dancing for a while, helps me realize why my dogs make mistakes on a more-than-theoretical level. Your brain gets tired after a while! And repetition really does help with building the muscle memory. 🙂
For the dogs: I need to get Katie out more. Which means I need to build up her leash skills. She walks perfectly fine on leash, except for when she doesn’t. Part of when she doesn’t is fear, because she finds the world to be scary. Which gets into a cycle of it being hard to walk her, so she gets out less, so the world gets scarier. I will need to think on what is specific that I can actually commit to. I am going to put Pixie back into nose work, and see if I can get to a level to make it to a competition this year.
And yes, singing is immensely helpful. I find that the days that I sing on the way to work I just feel better about things, which makes the day go by easier. I used to hate singing in public, and would avoid it whenever I could. Lessons help, but what really helps is realizing that you probably sing better than you think you do. I took group classes, and so many people with amazing voices would get up and say “I can’t sing, I can’t carry a tune, I’m just awful” and then give a beautiful performance. The other important thing is realizing where your voice sounds good, and getting music to match that range. I sound awesome in spirituals, which are not my favorite genre, but which are written in the range where I sound good. So I sing things like Amazing Grace and Wayfaring Stranger, and then have learned to shift keys for other music to get them into the range I prefer. Just some things to think about, if you want to shift your views on singing.
Debi says
I love your books. You have helped this multiple dog household. I have new commitments. I have three corgis, two of which are overweight, I too am obese, and under strict instructions by my physician to get my weight down.
1. I will walk my corgis three days a week.
2. I will make better food choices and amounts, as well as properly feed my corgis for weight loss.
3. I will sing during my commute.
4. I will take my dogs to town once a month to encourage socializing.
Aurora says
For myself, I’m committing to stop setting myself up to be stressed about my parent’s dogs. Specifically, I’m not going out alone with more than one dog at a time until July and then reevaluating honestly. I’m going to accept that at their current level of training and my frustration tolerance and strength, I can’t reliably handle them without making myself miserable and that I can’t fix that within the limited amount of time I spend with them. I won’t agree to dogsit for them without clearly deciding what I can handle and not exceeding it even if it’s a pretty day and so and so hates being left behind. If what I’m doing isn’t working, I will pull back, and I won’t take the job if my parent’s can’t agree to that. As far as their training challenges…I can’t be specific about that right now, but I’m going to watch how involved I get and do my best to pull back if I find myself getting over involved. In sum: my dog is my responsibility, their’s are not.
For my dog, my wife, and I, I’m committing to find some waterproof containers and put my tea and a bunch of good treats on our outdoor staircase so that tiny little separation exercises of the size Spring can already handle are built into the day naturally. I will do this as long as it continues to seem like a good idea.
Monika says
Here’s to all the pawsibilities that 2015 holds, more dancing, more singing and more Tundra moments! Cheers. 🙂
liz says
I haven’t read Gifts of Imperfection, but perhaps I should! Lately I have been yearning for a sense of magic and wonder and faith(?)- one that I used to feel often, and maybe one that is shared by those who live “wholehearted” lives. It’s difficult to articulate, but I more or less feel that being pragmatic has replaced believing in magic, and the resulting sense of awe that comes along with it. My husband, dogs, and Mother nature are my current gateways, and their smallest acts remind me how it feels to be so “full”. Like when the dogs ran up to me the other week, all squinty-eyed with flattened ears and tails wagging through their strides, and I could think of nothing but how unbelievable it is for any animal to behave in such a way. I couldn’t even think of that really, it was more of a heart/feeling event than it was a cerebral one. It wasn’t anything special in a sense. Rather it was just one of recent moments that reminds me of something I used to be better acquainted with…. So… to facilitate wonder in more areas of my life, in the new year: 1)learn something new. Something substantial. Not specific yet, but I suspect learning exercises the part of my mind that opens up to believing that anything is possible. 2)Keep a gratitude journal in addition to my dog journal. I have no problem recognizing the areas I’m grateful for the dogs, and adding other thoughts of gratitude at least once/week should be realistic and achievable without a smidge of burden. The trick with this commitment is that I’m not sure it’ll help me reach my goal, but the goal itself is sort of lofty. However, I just can’t seem to phrase it any other way than “wanting to believe in magic,” and that seems so unattainable! How does someone do that?!?
Well, anyway, wishing you all a Magical New Year!
Trisha says
I’m about to go off the grid for a week, and of course, Maggie choose this moment to suggest that she is not well, so I’m afraid I don’t have time to comment as I’d like. Forgive me my brevity. But I couldn’t leave without applauding thoughtful commenter ’em’ about noticing that her dogs are slowing down and don’t need the level of exercise that she herself does. (I say ‘she,’ but ’em’ could stand for any kind of name I realize! apologies if I have it wrong.) It takes a keen, objective eye to recognize that one’s dogs are changing, because they do it so slowly it is easy to miss it. Good for you!
And to liz: I DO know what you mean. Where’s the magic? You know that I have no answer for you, certainly not one that I can craft in the next 3 minutes available, but I did just see Into the Woods and I highly recommend it. It is an amalgam of fairy tales, both Disneyesque and a la Grimm, and very very funny in places. Also, a wonderful message buried within. Foolishness, yes? But still…
Cally says
After seeing the “Hobbit” – or rather, hearing its inspiring soundtrack – , I have committed to going on at least one adventure in 2015. I don’t know what that means yet, but I am excited already! To clarify: Adventure, to me, is something I have never done before. It shall take at least a full day, and anything inside a building does not count.
With my lab, I resolve to do more tracking work. She is ten, and we only started this year – but she’s good, and she loves it! Not being a dog who likes clicker training, tracking is an excellent way of tiring her out mentally and making her more self-confident. I will take her tracking at least ten times next year. (Seems terribly little, but…attainable goals!)
Also, she is the ultimate people lover – her best friends are humans. There are three people who stand out, and she sees none of them much. I will make sure she goes on an adventure with one of her three human friends at least once a month!
For Amy, the Maltese who is also in my family, I will commit to at least five minutes of work on target training or relaxing mat work every day for the next six weeks. After that, we will see where we are… but five minutes a day specifically to work on her issues seems do-able in general.
em says
Thanks so much, Trisha, for your lovely comment! I am indeed a she, and I’m so flattered at your kind words. Have a lovely unplugged break, and best wishes for Maggie’s quick recovery.
Chris from Boise says
Enjoy your unplugged time, Trisha, and I hope that Maggie perks up quickly so you can enjoy the whole week. Re: singing – I too can’t carry a tune in a bucket, yet I love music. Many years ago Maine folksinger Gordon Bok handed out “licenses to sing”. His point was that singing should be encouraged, and if anyone criticizes one’s singing, one can (haughtily) say “Too bad. Gordon Bok gave me a license to sing”. So, for what it’s worth, I give you a license to sing as loudly and as joyfully as you wish.
I love many of the resolutions listed above, and may incorporate a few of them into my 2015. My resolutions: 1) Spend more time doing with my dogs rather than reading about things to do with my dogs. Specifically: twice a week downtown leash walks or foothills off-leash walks, and log them on the calendar to keep me honest. Both dogs need the former and can now handle (and deserve) the latter. 2) For me, monthly lunch with three old friends two hours away. It’s worth the drive for all the laughter, stories, and hugs, with the bonus of stumbling upon some great small town restaurants.
MJ says
FWIW, Trisha … UW continuing ed has singing classes subtitled, If You Can Speak You Can Sing. Details here –> http://continuingstudies.wisc.edu/classes/vocal-venture-1-1 You have perhaps heard Harmonious Wail around Madison.
I don’t have much of a voice but love to sing. I took a 5 day singing workshop once with Ysaye Barnwell who was the bass voice of Sweet Honey in the Rock. She was so supportive, saying “I don’t care if you have just one note … bring me that note!” It was so much fun. I’ve done the UW class 5 or 6 times and have never graduated out of the beginner class. So what. I get to sing.
Mireille says
@Liz: it’s there. The Magic. When you stop and see. What works for me when I tend to forget – and believe me, I do, is to get out my camera and look through the lens. I go on a path I regularly walk and trie to see something beautiful to take a picture of. And it is always there. In the pattern of the treebark, in the grass & spiderweb.
It is there for us to see, the moment we also let go of what for others constitutes a wonder. It is my feeling, my life, my love. So I love to look at autumn leaves. There must be millions of pics around, but my walk , my leave, my wonder. Good luck in stepping out of the stream of life and watch the waves for a while…
(some examples: this is “just” a regular morning walk, where I walk almost daily and every day it is different: http://huskyheren.blogspot.nl/2014_09_01_archive.html )
liz says
Thanks to those who’ve responded to my thoughts for the new year.
Mirielle, Wow! Your photos! Wow. That is it exactly. I always enjoy reading your thoughts and stories, and your photos which capture such beauty. And your dog looks so content after digging. I share in his relief.
Trisha, I’m totally inspired. Your words and outlook have made me reevaluate priorities.
I don’t really allow for emergencies devoted to fun or fulfillment. Maybe “emergency” is not the right word as I don’t mean to diminish its importance. But a deviation in plans is allowed only when someone else is in need of help, or when it is more efficient/practical to adjust the list. The weekend before Christmas, I got a last minute invite to see the Cirque de Soleil tour. I passed. Was finishing Christmas stuff. I’m told the show was simply incredible (it included throat signing!) but now the tour’s moved on. I realize that I circle back to the question of what is practical too often, and that perhaps it sucks all of the magic out of life. Even in trying to come up with something new to learn: cooking can be like magic so I should learn how to bake bread, the real kind with yeast, and then all my menus could change… or I barely know how to sew, and I could get lessons from my mother in law and I’d be making my own clothes in no time while spending more time with her. Really? This is what I come up with?
I cannot do away with my practicality and lists completely (oh the horror) but I can think of them as more organic things. In doing so, I can allow for discovery. (Over the weekend, in an attempt to find and hang some new-old artwork hiding somewhere in the house, I found an old anniversary card. My husband and I filled it out together, exquisite corpse style. We both completely forgot. It was a time capsule and a great discovery. My last line before signing was, “may we dream our wildest dreams forever.”) Imagine, create, discover and dream again, and start by allowing myself just that.
Kristin says
@liz – I have read Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection and recommend it highly. I do think it can help you find some magic. I find I set up too many obstacles to things that make me happy, as in I can do this after I do that, when that isn’t that important. I somehow have gotten into the habit of making myself earn pleasure activities. Backwards thinking. Brene Brown has two Ted Talks you can watch for an idea of what she and Wholehearted living are all about. It was through this blog I learned about her and I am so grateful for that and for everything else I have learned here!
Kristin
Lila says
I need more exercise, and so does my rat terrier Badger. He’s coming up on 9 months old, and he broke his leg at 4 months by leaping unexpectedly out of my arms. He still has a bad limp. I need to do some follow-up with the vet about that. But I want to start running around with him more. Some days he doesn’t really get much outside time at all, and that’s not fair for a little guy with as much energy as he has.
Because of the months of restriction after surgery, Badger is behind in his socialization, especially with other dogs. We’re going back to puppy class soon, even though he’s technically too old for the class. And I’m resolving to work on leash walking and calmness.
I get frustrated sometimes when I get home from work because I just want to fall down on the couch and relax. Badger wants to play. And of course he does — he’s been home all day, bored! So I need to try to put my own desires aside, remember that it’s unreasonable of me to expect him to be calm and cuddly when he hasn’t had much exercise, and go run around outside.