Day 1158

Today was the day our Sammy made a splash in the world of Therapy Dogs…and he dove right in! As he is almost done with his classes, it seemed like a good time to “test the waters” and plan our certification strategy! He visited with young and old alike and everyone he met was charmed. He tries SO hard to be his best self!

At class the other night, our instructor observed Sam do everything to perfection until the “down” command was given. My Golden decided that was not the direction he wanted to go, so he put his paws on my shoulders and gave me a big smooch! The teacher (trying so hard not to laugh) asked me if my dog was “broken.” I responded with, “yes, he does seem to be a bit broken right now!” Everyone got a good snicker out of that! He successfully accomplished the command when we tried again!

“Broken” was such a great choice of words to use on our pup. Like a wind-up toy that is wound too tight, our Golden couldn’t focus and release his extra energy. Once I “tinkered” with him, he could relax and focus on the job at hand. Like Mother…like Puppy. I could sympathize with all of the extra distractions and knew Sam needed to take a breath, focus on the job at hand (paw) and revisit his direction!

There are many times when my own mind pulls a “Sammy” and I lose the my direction! Being so focused on the minutiae of life, I tune in a bit too closely to the distractions that surround me…

*What did my Alexa just ask?

*When did my phone alert me to an impending storm?

*Did two people just call my name simultaneously?

…and the list goes on and on to infinity! No wonder it is hard to focus on what is right in front of me and focus on the present!

My success in swimming through distractions is simple and immediate. Block the distractions for a moment and focus right in front of my face! It only takes a moment to restructure your brain’s direction and succeed in the present moment. The rest can take a number!

Sam isn’t broken at all! He used every lesson from Doggy School to succeed this morning. When his attention waned, I had him look me right in the eyes and refocus! He was a star!