Mollie is a typical young dog. She has moved up and through the puppy stage yet it is premature to even consider her anything other than a young dog. Her behavior is far too juvenile in every respect. If you smile, she smiles. If you want to play, she is more than ready, willing, and able to play. Pay attention to her and she will move in harmony with you, tail wagging all the way.
The area we worry about is her interaction with other dogs. Mollie’s attitude always begins with a boisterous intent to run and play. Give her size it is easy for small dogs to misinterpret her actions and trouble begins. Given her openness it is simple fodder to peers and larger dogs to turn the na?ve attitude of play into a full fledged rumble. In either situations Mollie matches her opponent stride for stride, growl for growl, emotion for emotion. The results are some intense exchange of views, none of them pretty.
It should be basic that matching emotions when two sides differ is merely a simple recipe for something more negative than wherever you begin. “A quarrelsome person in a dispute is like kerosene thrown on a fire.” (Proverbs 26.21)
In Mollie’s case we can work on training and discipline. This is the simple part of the story. What causes me to wonder is this. What is the answer in your life and mine?
In my reflection several questions refuse to leave.
How willing am I to let go of my positions and the emotions tied up in them?
When confronted how willing am I to let go of the pain involved in the confrontation?
When struggling am I willing to move forward or is settling the present all that matters?
Each situation in life is an opportunity for you and me to experience grace, mercy, compassion, love, acceptance; all simple words for God and the mysterious, indescribable experience he offers to us. Letting go isn’t easy, it is a struggle during each step of our journey; one of life’s basics.
