Stop. Smell. Savour.

Beaumont: I’m curious Louise. Why do you so seldom stop to smell the roses, so to speak.

Me: What do you mean? I always do!

Beau: Seriously? HA! Could’a’ve fooled me. Judging by the constant pulling on my leash and your irritating bellowing of ‘HEEL’ I’d say you NEVER stop to smell the roses.

Me: But what about all the photos I take of the waves and whales, sea lions and seals, trees and fauna! Isn’t that me stopping to smell the roses?

Beau: No Louise. That’s you stopping to take a photo without actually savouring the moment.

Me: But what’s the difference?

Beau: Oh grasshopper. You have so much to learn.

Me: Oh dawg guru. Teach me.

Beau: I don’t have your lifetime to teach you all you need to know to become fully embodied in your life Louise. What I have are these few brief years of our coexistence on this plane. And my dear, I fear I’m failing you. Why, just this morning, we walked past those daffodils and it wasn’t until I stopped behind you, pulled on the leash and made you turn around that you noticed them. Same as with that eagle the other day. It wasn’t until someone else pointed him out in the tree we were walking beneath that you took the time to look up and see, actually see what was above you.

Me: Oh. Yeah. But…

Beau: See what I mean Louise? How many times do I have to remind you to keep your ‘but’ out of it? How many prods and leash pulls do you need to drop the reins you grip so tightly so you can stop, smell, savour the world around you?

Me: Lots?

Beau: What do you think would happen if you just dropped the reigns of control and let life happen with you, not to you?

Me: The world might fall apart?

Beau: Hmmm…. And are you in charge of the world? Do you actually imagine you are that powerful?

Me: (meekly, cautiously) Nooooo….. (voice trailing off)

Beau: Then let go and be.

Me: Easier said than done.

Beau: Seriously Louise. You think I’m going to buy that? From the tightness of your neck and the slump of your shoulders, I’d say, trying to control the world is a very heavy burden.

Me: Oh Beau. You’re always so wise. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of being in the moment.

Beau: Hey! What’s a dawg guru for if not to keep you on your toes. Oh. And have I mentioned… One way to release your worries is to take me for another walk. I wanna go sniff around what other dawgs are saying about the green grass and all the flowers popping up!

We just got back from an hour-long walk and already he’s vying for another one.

Beau: Auntie Annie wouldn’t say no.

Me: Harrumph! (repeating quietly to myself again and again…) This is not a competition. This is not a competition…

Beau: Only a hoomon would see it as a potential competition Louise. We dawg’s know — walks are good for the soul.

Sigh. He is so wise. Guess I’ll put my runners on, and off we’ll go, again. It’s a beautiful WestCoast day out there. May as well savour it in all its vibrant beauty!