Where My Paws Are

Being where my paws are. That’s something I’ve been trying to do more of. My humans say they want to be where their feet are. I think it means being in the present moment—in the here and now. I love that idea. But honestly? Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes my paws land in places that don’t feel so great. Like the other day, I was frolicking happily on the beach when—OUCH—I stepped on a bunch of prickly things. Some people call them goathead burs. It hurt so badly, I couldn’t even walk for a bit. In that moment, I wanted to be anywhere but where I was, anywhere but in that pain. And you know what? That’s fair.

But lately I’ve been learning not to run from suffering. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not out here looking for pain. But I’m realizing it’s just part of life. And maybe it’s okay to feel it when it happens. You know, just acknowledge the reality of it. Like saying to myself, “Wow, this really hurts right now!” Just acknowledging that feeling, without pushing it away. Sometimes, I even think about how I’m probably not the only one who is hurting. Other pups must have stepped on those same awful things. And humans? They definitely know what suffering feels like too. So even though it hurts in the moment, I am reminding myself, I’m not alone in my suffering. We all suffer sometimes. And maybe—just maybe—the hurt won’t always feel this way.

I realize this is getting a little philosophical for a pup with a blog. But when your humans spend so much time talking about things like this, it rubs off. Recently, my family has been exploring Dr. Neff’s research on self-compassion. It sounds like cool stuff if you want to check it out. In the meantime, here’s to hoping you don’t step on any prickly things today—literal or metaphorical. And if you do, remember it’s okay if it feels difficult, uncomfortable, or painful. You’re not alone. And this too will pass. Oh, also, special shout out to my brother and sister (Elijah and Penelope) who used their nimble, little fingers and opposable thumbs to pick all the goathead burs out of my paws. THANK YOU!