Saturday, June 13, 2009

The Dog in the Mirror

A little while back, Life With Dogs asked for us to think about one day and if we had anything to share about our take on "one day", to post it on a Monday, which has been declared "One Day Monday". Here is my contribution to such named day:

Do you ever have one day where, when all is said and done, you're tired but satisfied with all that's been accomplished from the time your day started?

Yeah? GREAT! I was hoping somebody had them. I find that the older I get, the less I get done. I'm overwhelmed by the feeling that life is slipping away at an alarming rate and I must, absolutely MUST find a way to make more hours in a day.




That being said, we're all given 24 of those hours in one day. You can't buy more if you're rich, you can't beg more if you're poor. It's all about what we choose to do in those 24 hours that makes us feel satisfied and content when we lay our head on the pillow at night. That's when it hit me that on the days that I was most happy with my accomplishments were the days that I had done something to lighten another's load, I had made someone smile, or had made some small difference in their life. Just for instance the day I took Mom to the nursing home to see an old friend.


I'm not sure if I walked out of there or soared. It felt so good to have been a bright spot in one day for such a sweet lady and for others we passed in the hall on the way out.



It was that same one day that I realized that life is not all about me.


With that thought in mind, a torrent of worries flooded my brain:
Will I be a good husband to Ms. Truffles?
Will I be able to provide for all the homeless dogs that Ms. Truffles and I plan to adopt?
Will I love her when she is old and gray?
Will I still be able to blog to all my friends when my paws are old and stiff from arthritis?



These are the thoughts that keep me awake at night.



(That and wondering if one day Mom will realize that cheese does not last forever in the refrigerator.)





But that's a whole story for another day. For now, I can't live my life trying to change others. It's time for this dog to look in the mirror and come face to face with who he is and who he wants to be.




That's when it hit me. All my life I've judged others at face value-not giving a fair chance to see who they really are, what makes them tick. As in the case of Rory-my Scottish rival who has been doggedly pursuing my fiance, hoping to convince her of his undying love for her.


At first all I saw was a little pup in a big dog uniform. Beady little eyes that showed nothing of the warrior that I came to find was inside. Cute button nose disguising the hard-nosed contender hidden underneath. I discounted him as litte to nothing to worry about until last Monday when the love package from him arrived at Ms. Truffles door. That's when I took a closer look at this Tartan Tidbit.



Any of you who saw our verbal sparring on Facebook got a look at just how tough this little guy is. There was not an inch of backing down to be had from him. I tried. I called him every Scottish name I could find as I ransacked the possiblities on Google. Tartan Twit, Kilt Boy, Sean Connery wannabee-just to name a few. He only responded with more brazen brogue. After some time I saw that he was not the fru-fru dog that I had originally thought.


And then, as Truffles made her decision to honor me with her lifetime reservoir of love, Rory was beaten down. He had given up and shaken paws with me, his frothing foe. That's when I realized, I liked the little guy. He has more spunk than some big dogs I hang out with. He's the kind of dog you want backing you up when the heat is on. Take a closer look at how he fills out that Pittsburgh Steelers jersey. That's what us big dogs call muscle. Not all dogs have it, or know how to use it.



Now that you understand all that has come between us and how we have made peace, I would like to ask all those in attendance to witness what I am about to say to Rory:



Dear Rory B. Frock, I am calling for an official truce, and along with this truce, Ms. Truffles and myself would like nothing better than to have such a fine, upstanding Scott stand by my side as Best Dog as we pledge our love to one another. Would you be pleased to grant us this request?


If I know this Sweetie Wheatie like I think I do, we will be standing side by side one day as we watch Ms. Truffles saunter her badonkadonk down the aisle.

I firmly believe that one day we will all have to answer to our Maker for what we've done with what we've been so freely given. It is my sincere hope that on that one day I will have no regrets.

Woofs and one day slobbers,
Chester

15 comments:

ThePainterPack said...

Oh Chester!!! Woo is such a good friend! It's not always easy to turn the other paw and bury the bone with a rival! I have watched the facebook face-off...and I am glad that woo and Rory are gonna be friends!!! Truffles is a lucky girl to have 2 such handsome and doggly men wanting her paw in marriage!!!!

Mya Boo Boo

Life With Dogs said...

Of all days to skip my One Day Monday post - but you did me one better. I had no idea Chester could spell! And not bad only getting an "r" backward.
I'm glad to see that you and Rory have come to terms. I was afraid there was going to be a new count on your blog...

Anonymous said...

Hi Chester! I like the "one day" philosophy. No matter how much planning we do, all we have is this one day, and if we make someone else happy, it's a good day. Yes!

See ya!
Joey

Holly said...

Chester:
Rory has asked me to speak on his behalf...

He says, "Oh, ye Grrreat Brownie, ah wheel be honorrred to stand as yer Best Dog!"

He is too excited to sit still and is running around telling Fiona all about this.

He feels the same way about you. You've taught him to be a better man, er, dog by trying to manage disappointment, be brave, true, and willing to move on with life.

You gave him the opportunity to learn those things, and now you'll give him the opportunity to learn what it is to be friends in the fun times as well.

Hugs To You!

Holly

Jan said...

Chester,

What a LOVELY One Day Monday post! Profound indeed.

AND, I'm delighted and touched to see that you and Rory have recognized the fine qualities in each other that we all knew you had.

Budrow Wilson Spain said...

You are a upstanding young man Chester! I am glad there is a truce and that our gang is growing! We are now a true force to be reckon with! Nothing can stop us from controlling the world!

The Bird's Staff said...

Very thoughtful and sweet. Makes one proud to know you and your kind spirit. We welcome your ownself to this wacky family...maybe you will get us to change our ways!
Gre Gre "to be"

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Oh what a great way to look at life.. Us dogs always see the best in people not the worst. Give us love and we will love you back forever...

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Alex said...

Ms. Truffles is lucky to have found you Chester, you are indeed a special fellow.

Rufus and Indie said...

Hi Chester! Great post!
Well, "Carpe Diem"!
Mom is always saying that the cheese should last forever, I think she should give it to me instead!
Kisses
Rufus

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Well, what a deep Monday!

Furry nice observations about life!

Tank woo fur sharing!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Girl Tornado said...

Chester, those are such admirable qualities. You've proven yourself to be the "bigger dog" by offering truce to Rory. And how giving of you, going to the nursing homes to help others smile and make their day! I have to agree with you -- the days I have helped others are always my best days. I feel so satisfied when I go to sleep at night.

Oh, and don't forget to remind your mom to make those yummy dog biscuits, we sure love'em... maybe one day you'll get a surprise package in the mail! You just never know! :)

Ringo, Tori and Trixie

Mason Dixie said...

How very gentlemanly of you to call a truce and be the better dog. What a lucky girl she is to have you. =)

Scout and Freyja said...

We cannot imagine that you will ever have any regrets in life. You are a dog of good nature and good character. You help those who need to smile and that is a very honorable calling in this life for a dog or for a human.

Unknown said...

Hey Chester..

One day I hope all people could think and be like you. And one day I hope mom learns to take better care of the cheese.

Norwood

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