Walking my friend’s dog, Maika’i1, on a bright spring morning, I caught the scent of something other than mildew in the air. We encountered an early-blooming magnolia sprinkling snowy petals and throwing a lovely perfume. I halted and breathed deeply. It felt like the first scent of spring, my nose waking from hibernation.
Then, like a thief, my nose was robbed of joy. I glanced down at Maika’i, busy with his morning squat on the grass.
His ‘this-is-as-good-a-spot-as-any’ impulse was as natural as the magnolia’s splendour. Ripped out of my reverie, I reached for a fake-lavender-scented bag in my pocket to stoop and scoop. The magnolia-feces-lavender combo was disgusting. Like a groundhog seeing her shadow, my nose wished to retreat to the dead scents of winter.
I gagged and hunched over. Maika’i gave me some side-eye as he waited impatiently for me to pick up his business.
What a life to have ‘people’ for that. His humans take care of his every need: he’s walked twice daily, plus romps in the backyard, morning constitutionals tidied promptly, meals served, the occasional trip for ice cream and then a day of lying on the sofa ready for the next caper. Glorious.
Their lives are short, and many do not enjoy such luxuries. Maika’i started out life as a scrawny pup in a northern community. He had to fight to stay warm and fed. He hit the jackpot when he was adopted, and the feeling is mutual.
As his occasional caretaker, I marvel at his enthusiasm for embracing life. No matter the weather, the length of his walk, the directions we turn, the mood I’m in, life is grand. He has the most infectious grin, sense of humour and adventure.
“This is great! Let’s gooooo!!” is a thought he reminds me to hold each time we are together. He has a way of pulling me out of a funk, getting me off the couch for a walk, putting my phone down and finding joy in the smallest and even the stinkiest moments.
If you have an animal friend, look at life from their perspective, cuddle them, and thank them for reminding you of how great this moment can be.
If you have lost your animal companion, allow those memories, and perhaps tears, to flow forth from your time together. They were here to teach us how sweet life can be when we allow their presence to change us, even for a moment.
Having lost so many dogs along the way, I am conscious of the passing of years. I try to give Maika’i more attention when he’s with me, to benefit from his wisdom, live in the present moment, relax when I need to, and see the humour in life. Maika’i is a master teacher.
What have your animal friends taught you?
Maika’i meaning in Hawai’ian: mai.kaʻi nvs. Good, fine, all right, well; good-looking; handsome, beautiful; goodness, righteousness, benefit, well-being, morality; good looks, good health. wehewehe.org
Linda, I loved this story. Thank you so much for being here.
My dog Kole taught me so much when he was around...be in the moment, find joy, and play! He was my faithful companion through a divorce, through Jeff's first cancer diagnosis, and my run buddy. He was always happy to see me no matter what. I miss him so much. Thank you.
So lovely, Linda - well, apart from *that* bit - you know the bit I mean! *holds hand over nose*
I'm afraid of dogs - I don't know if that's because I haven't had any in my life, or whether that's WHY I haven't had any in my life - but I appreciate them as wonderful creatures nevertheless.
We don't have any now, but my pets had always been barnyard animals - ducks, goats, sheep, hens. They were all so important to me.