Zen Dog

All of us from time to time get those email forwards that bounce around the Internet and more often than not prove to be either unfunny, treacly sweet, maudlin or politically overbearing. On occasion one of these bouncing forwards comes along with the familiar heading, “How Cute!” or “How True!” and despite the cloying title finds a sensitive spot inside us. In my case those times are rare and the delete key gets a quick tap. But I do have a vulnerable soft spot when it comes to dog stories and dog video clips. I suppose you have to have a dog for that to work. A couple of days ago I got one of these emails and was reaching for the delete key when something about it held me back. Minutes later I was mumbling to myself. “How true!”   

If you can start the day without caffeine, 

   If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

   If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

   If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

   If you can relax without alcohol,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

   Then you are probably the family dog.

Handle every stressful situation like a dog:

        If you can’t eat it or play with it,

        then pee on it and walk away.

All of us get mawkish when the right button is pushed.

Farina Belly Up