What Would Bauer Do?

When we came back from our hike yesterday, Gilles suggested that it might be a good idea to write a blog about what we can learn from Bauer and I had to agree that he has some lessons to share.

Spread Your Love

Imagine going through life always being excited to see the people you love, some might argue that Bauer is happy to see anyone, but he does have a special level of excitement for those he loves the most.

We are all happy to see loved ones when it has been awhile or there is a big event happening, but Bauer is THRILLED to see us, even if we are just coming up from the basement or have only been gone for a few minutes…and his joy can be a real mood booster for everyone here.  

One of my favourite quotes from Toni Morrison is, “When a child walks in the room, your child or anybody else’s child, do your eyes light up? That’s what they’re looking for.”  Bauer lights up from head to tail when we walk into a room; I could do a better job of following that lead for sure!

Run

When Bauer runs, he goes full out.  I think that he runs a couple of thousand steps for every step we take.  And if we separate a little, he runs from group to group at top speed, his ears flying behind.

Sometimes he has a stick in his mouth (that just might take you out at the knees as he goes by at top speed depending on the size of the stick) and sometimes he is panting from exhaustion, but he is always going quickly…until he stops to investigate a new smell or dig for a new stick.

I think the lesson for me is to give everything 100% but stop to smell the roses and explore the world around me.  Sometimes I can get a little too focused to notice the beauty around me; balance is good.

Hydrate

Bauer stops to drink from every puddle we see.  He bounds into the puddle without worrying about splashing, then stops to have a drink before stepping out, shaking water on everyone around him and then running to the next adventure.

The message might be not to sweat the small stuff.  Don’t worry about the splashing; go for your goals and don’t sweat the little things along the way.  I’m not made of sugar and won’t melt from a little water.

Rest

Bauer plays hard, and he rests hard too.  After a hike like that, you can find him sprawled on the couch snoring away and sometimes giving little barks in his dreams.

Most of us could learn this one; the benefits of rest need to recognized and we would probably all enjoy a nice long nap once in awhile.  

If not a nap, then a restorative activity or hobby that brings calm to our racing minds.  Unapologetically unplugging and relaxing can be the best thing for us!

Forgiveness

Bauer can get wound up really quickly (especially when evil people and their dogs walk in front of our house).  And the humans around him can get really upset with him when he scares the pants off us with his barking.  

All it takes is a rub behind the ears and a kind word and all is forgotten.  There is no memory of being yelled at to get down from the window.  He moves quickly to give you a moan or a lick to let you know that the relationship is repaired.

I think he is much happier without the burden of remembering past wrongs.  If only we could move on so easily.

Mantra

Bauer leaves hair all over our house, has destroyed our living room furniture and when he barks, he drives me crazy…but he also spreads a lot of love, brings a smile to my face and his antics make me laugh regularly…and apparently he shares some really good life lessons.  

Maybe my new mantra should be “what would Bauer do?”