Yoga Lessons From My Dog

Although I have been doing sun salutations for ten years, something finally clicked about the yogi life when my dog, Stephen, recovered from having his leg amputated.  After discovering a tumor in his right hind leg, we had no choice but to remove the limb.  We were told that three year olds recover well, although it would be a tough journey ahead of us.

It was only hours after surgery, when Stephen taught me my first critical lesson about yoga. Without any rehabilitation, Stephen had figured out how to walk. I was ridiculously proud of him.  He didn’t over-think it and he showed me that we are far more resilient and adaptable than we think we are.

Over the next several months, Stephen grew stronger. Our walks increased and his fur grew back; his tail started to wag again with gusto. As Stephen was playing at the park one day, I realized that his amputation allowed him to shed something that was literally weighing him down. Since surgery, he’s figured out how to balance on his own feet and it really looks like he’s happier. It dawned on me that this is why I practice yoga. Every time I unroll my mat, I am giving myself a chance to remove my own constraints and acquire equilibrium.

Once I started looking, I realized that Stephen is a true yogi. He’s taught me how to take a break and be kind to myself. It’s hard work hopping around on three legs; when Stephen needs a rest, he lies down for a few deep breaths. I realized that, if he has given himself permission to take care of himself, why can’t I? It’s so easy to barrel through and ignore the signs of fatigue.  I finally got it: there’s no shame in taking child’s pose.

In order to sit up, Stephen has figured how to situate his left hind leg into half-pigeon. He uses his healthy leg to create stability so that he can sit comfortably making me understand how Modifications can be the key to success. In watching Stephen, it really sunk in for me that sometimes we can do more by altering what we think we have to do in order to do what really works for us.

Watching Stephen transform into a tripawd has shifted my own yoga practice into one that is more self-compassionate. I understand now how to give myself permission to accept where I am on my journey.  I also smile from ear to ear whenever “three-legged dog” is called in class.

Wild Turkey

Today, while I was taking Stephen Dog on his afternoon walk, I stumbled upon this fabulously bizarre scene. In someone's urban backyard was a wild turkey. It was sitting patiently at the outdoor dining table. I had to stop and stare for a little while, hardly believing the moment to be real.  I had known of a wild turkey in the neighborhood because local dogs have been going crazy in the park lately. I'd seen a turkey tail sticking out of the foliage not far from this site last weekend, so I knew it was genuine. I found this scene to be so funny that I actually made strangers stop and appreciate the humor of it with me.  My mind was bubbling with silly ideas about what would be main course at this turkey's feast and who else might arrive as its guests of honor. Beautifully ironic; got to love Mother Nature for throwing us fabulous moments like this to keep us on our toes.

True Story

Yesterday, Jon and I were gardening most of the morning. It was one of those days that makes us appreciate having our very own urban yard. And then it all changed. We had taken a break from putting our annuals in to go to grocery and, while we were unpacking the groceries, Jon noticed two kids messing with our fence - and his road bike was gone. Jon sprinted out the door and started chasing after the guys while I called the police. Within moments, the police were at our door and they were collecting our information. We all agreed it was unlikely we'd find the kid - or the bike - but we were pleased to see how responsive our local police are to calls. If nothing else, I figured, that was worth a bike's value to feel comforted by the response time for help. 

Throughout the afternoon, Jon mourned the loss of his bike, we told Stephen how sad we were that he didn't bark like the devil at the little jerks and we felt that our innocence was stripped from under us - no longer feeling safe in our own back yard.

As Jon was heading home from work today, the detectives called him to follow up about his bike (leaving me even more awed with their attention to detail) and, while Jon was on the phone with them he happened to notice his bike. And a kid. Strolling by without a fret in mind. What are the chances? Jon told the detectives and within seconds they pulled the kid over and gave Jon his bike back. 

I think there was some serious karma at work today.