Life Lessons with Houdini

by | Jan 22, 2012 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

News

Life Lessons with Houdini

by | Jan 22, 2012 | Uncategorized

Right now I’m babysitting my sister’s pitbull dog Houdini while she is gallivanting on a yacht in the Caribbean. (Are you noticing a hint of jealousy?) Houdini is a special dog, he’s lovable, curious and very smart; he can get out of any fence, hence his name Houdini. Usually my husband Steve and Houdini are sidekicks, but Houdini and I are on our own for a few days.
Today is a beautiful day in Illinois, the sun is shining, it’s 50° in January, a rarity here, so I decided take Houdini to Wildlife Sanctuary for walk. A brave thing for me, as I couldn’t walk from the bathroom to the front room four months ago. There’s a little fear that maybe I can’t do it. The moment I thought about walking I could tell Houdini was tuned in. It’s hard to get a collar on a 90 pound dog while he is prancing, pretty soon his enthusiasm was spreading to me.

We piled into the car; his excitement was so great I could hear him just like a little kid, “When are we going to get there?” (Life Lesson # 1, Be enthusiastic about life!)  A smile began to spread across my face. The next thing I knew Houdini was sitting on the dashboard of the car. Whoops! I forgot to tell him riding with Sharron was different than riding with Steve. He’s okay and a smart learner, he promptly planted is butt on the seat and his nose out the window. He smelled air, he was taking in all the sites and was totally engaged in the moment.

We finally had arrived, he lunged out the car, “Let’s go, I have places to go and things to do!” His attitude was contagious; I couldn’t wait to see what he was going to do. As we began our walk he engaged all of his senses, was on alert as he watched with sharp eyes what he could see and he seized all the opportunities he could. He lunged on a dead fish by the water.(Life Lesson # 2, Seize life’s opportunities.)  Boy was he fast ! He came up with the fish, “I am master!” He shook the fish to pieces, covering me with fishwater. (I was doomed with fish breath on the ride home.)

Time passed quickly and I didn’t even think about how hard walking was. Finally I toldl Houdini I needed timeout. We found a bench as I gave Houdini a lesson in being patient and still, when Houdini spied the quacking ducks. Houdini’s nose pointed out, he was ready for attack. “Come on Houdini,” I say, that’s for another day. Houdini truly knows how to take an opportunity when it presents itself as he peed on every rock, bush and plant along the way back, and even when the pee ran out. I laugh!

Suddenly I realize I had set my goals too high and have gone too far for me to walk. (Life Lesson # 4, If you set your goals high, you better be prepared to accept help.) Houdini being a good friend he is, pulled me up the last hill.
Finally I told Houdini we have to go, he made a groan. Now were sitting in the living room, his 90 pounds crammed in my lap. He’s an opportunist who will take a  hug anytime he needs it. (Life Lesson # 5, It’s OK to ask for a hug when you need it.) I began to fall asleep in so did he. My last thought was I better bring in my grandson’s geans off the back porch or Houdini will eat them.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *