The Wisdom of Dogs

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“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” – Orhan Pamuk

When my beloved dog, Biscuit, was alive he was one of the wisest creatures I knew. That is a bold claim to make about a golden retriever who loved people so much that when his favorite ones came over he’d start running at one end of the house, and then end up sliding the last ten feet before gently slamming into them. Not really the image of wisdom that is tip of mind when the word is uttered, but I just think of that as part of his charm.

Because his wisdom showed up in other ways. Loving people being one of them. Also the ability to be excited about life wherever it took him, even if he wasn’t in the driver seat, and he embodied the Carl Jung quote, “Please remember, it is who you are that heals, not what you know.”

I’d put signs on him and take pictures and while it seemed like I was the one doing the work, I swear it was just some observational connection to what he was telling me.

I say goodnight to dear departed Biscuit on my way to bed every night. I go into the living room, pick my way past the toys on the floor in the darkened room lit only by the street lights outside, to touch the cherry wood box that holds his ashes, and simply say “hi” or “love you” or a sentence about my day.

On the night before we were to pick up the new puppy, Cooper, I delivered the news to Biscuit and to my great surprise, he answered back. I know, it sounds like a Peanuts cartoon, but I swear the thought just came into my head, “Okay, you’ve gotten a new dog sooner than you’ve found new love.”

Yikes! In the six and a half years he’s been gone, that has never happened before. Of course, the effect was much more impactful since that’s the case. If I thought I’d been talking to my dead dog for all these years, I wouldn’t have much listened.

So what was Biscuit teaching me in this instance?

My observation about life is that life follows our intention, even for things like love that aren’t in our control. It reminds me of a podcast with Mark Petruska where he explained being a master manifester – really picturing what we want, clearly setting the intention, and then participating in the way things fall in place.

I think dear Biscuit was pointing out that my intentions have been ambivalent where romantic love is concerned. I haven’t spent much energy on it, and every time I try to imagine it in the life that I have now, I waver a bit.

When I went back to talk to him the next night, he was silent so I can only guess he’s said as much as he’s willing on that subject. Like all the wise ones, he knows not to talk too much and let the listener fill in their own blanks. Okay, my wonderful dog, I’ve hear you.

Speaking of podcasts, and listening, Vicki and I are doing a two part series about what we’ve learned so far about starting a podcast. This first part is about what we’ve learned about trying from doing a podcast: Episode 31: Trying Podcasting Part 1 with Vicki and Wynne. Check it out if you’re interested!

54 thoughts on “The Wisdom of Dogs”

  1. Aren’t dogs just the greatest, gentlest of teachers? I want to be just like my dear Charlie when I grow up. Dogs—sublime listeners, observers of life, accepting forgivers of all, lovers of all, appreciative, joyful gifts of the Divine. Blessed creatures, they are!

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  2. Awww…Biscuit has your back! Just reciprocating with love like you gave to him. Take heed though if interesting people begin showing up randomly at your door- Biscuit may be matchmaking 😉

    Liked by 7 people

  3. The visual of the run-and-skid has me beaming! My parents’ last two golden mutts, Beau and Misha, did the same thing. Goldens are the perfect blend of wisdom and playfulness, aren’t they? Gosh, I can’t get over how beautiful it is that Biscuit is still sharing his wisdom and love across the distance. 🥰

    P.S. I think your departed furry friend is on to something. I was ambivalent to romantic love until two months before I met my boyfriend, during which time I wrote down and visualized everything I could dream of. When you’re ready, flip the switch, send off the flares, etc.–when you decide what you desire, with 100% certainty, magic happens. ❤️❤️❤️

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    1. This comment makes me feel so un-alone in such an important way, YES!!! I have been ambivalent about romantic love my whole life and am now trying to figure out how to not be dismayed by my growing non-ambivalence. It feels terrible and I hate it but I … think it’s all part of this Wholehearted journey I’ve been on? UGH. Sigh. Lean in? I think so, but how?

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      1. It may or may not work for you, but here’s what I did:
        1) Release the past. I forgave myself and others from past relationships. I tossed cards from exes in a bonfire and deleted contract info. I learned my lessons and severed ties, so there were no hangups or looking back–only looking forward.
        2) I made a list of *everything* I wanted in a partner (hundreds of items!), then spilt them into “essential” and “nice to have,” and then sorted the “essential” items by priority. My list surprised me! Knowing my top 3-5 essential qualities in a romantic partner made it easy to visualize my ideal partner, consider places I might meet that kind of person, and recognize when I met him.
        In essence, it required fully letting go of the past, and then looking forward with clarity. Easier said than done, but (I think) pretty effective.

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      2. I love that Erin jumped in with the how – and so specific and it makes sense. And that I’m not the only one to feel ambivalent? Well, I’m sorry you are feeling that way, Deborah, but I know I’m in good company at least! 🙂 ❤

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    2. I’m laughing about your perfect blend of wisdom and playfulness, Erin. Yes, that’s a great description!

      And the exercise you describe – such great clarity. Thank you for suggesting that – I will definitely do it when ready to “send off the flares” as you put it so beautifully!

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  4. It’s so sweet that you could hear Biscuit’s reply. Pets do speak to us, my cat is a careful listener and when he feels like he also replies, but I have never thought about one that passed away! I see my dear cat who left this planet still around my apartment but I never listened to hear if she wanted to speak to me. I will pay more attention next time I see her.

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  5. I love all stories about Biscuit the Wonder Dog…and I’m so happy to know you had a moment with him recently. So precious. And good golly…my all-time fave Jung quote in this post, too? Too much goodness. And I love it all. 🥰

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  6. Oh, my goodness. This went right to my heart in so, so many ways. Rather than spell those out (*cough* can my long-windedness possibly be tamed?!), I’m going to text my godmom a link to this post. To me, what you describe as sounding like something from a Peanuts comic strip … sounds exactly like a piece of many a loving conversation with my godmom. What a beautiful convergence of my worlds. ❤

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  7. You made me miss Angus, our yellow lab, who we said goodbye to after 15 years of his love. He was my constant companion while kids were at school and husband was at work. I love that he sent you a message! Like the sign on the beach driftwood said “Be more like my dog.”

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  9. Dogs are remarkable, indeed, Wynne. In addition to the previous affirmation, they give unconditionally, live in the moment, and tend not to anticipate a malign future unless they have been regularly harmed. Wonderful creatures who, according to your report, have superpowers, too!

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    1. I love this incredibly true and packed with insight statement, ” tend not to anticipate a malign future unless they have been regularly harmed.”

      Superpowers – I do think they might have them! 🙂

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  11. What a beautiful story Wynne. Trust that voice! And get ready, love is experienced in a myriad of ways and from a myriad of sources. Don’t tarnish the future with our own limitations. Welcome all of it! Hugs, C

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  14. Wow, what a message to hear from Biscuit, Wynne!

    He sounds like such a special dog and the relationship you had with him clearly made a lasting impression on you.

    I’m glad you are able to honour and create continued space for him while also creating new space and memories now with Cooper.

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    1. Biscuit felt like my soul animal. Have you had that with any of your cats? I love this comment for the balance you point out between continuing to have space for Biscuit even as we branch out with Cooper. Thanks, Ab!

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      1. We had two sets of two cats. From the former pair and the current pair, I bonded quite a lot with the male cat. They really do fill a space in our lives that will never be replaced.

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  15. You’re touching on some very interesting points here. You’d alluded last year to a potential budding relationship, and I’ve been curious…but I know firsthand how hard it is to pick up the pieces and try again once you’ve been burned. I will say, from personal experience, opening yourself up to new possibilities can lead to some truly great things.

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    1. I was thinking of you as I wrote this piece Mark because I realized there is no way that I can manifest this when I’m so ambivalent. I love your reminder that it can lead to great places.

      I did fail to report back in on my crush from last summer. I still adore him and have seen him a couple of times but he on the East Coast and I’m on the West and there are some other practical roadblocks between us.

      And I can feel what you are going to say next – it’s all possible to overcome. Which I do believe – but I have to get over my being on the fence! So thank you, dear Mark for the reminder and encouragement!

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      1. Well, since you took the words right out of my mouth, all I will say is: the fence is great for preventing livestock from wandering, but it’s no place for dreams. Whether you decide to take a leap to see if the grass really is greener or are content to remain in your own yard for the time being is purely a personal choice you’ll have to make. Either way, I hope you are happy!

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      2. Ah, Mark. “The fence is no place for dreams.” I love it! You are right. I’ll have to think about that because I think, at least according to dear departed Biscuit, it might be nearing time to figure it out. Thanks, my friend!

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  17. Oh, dear Biscuit. I wish I could have met him. Just missed out on Cooper too! And, gosh, intense, especially for a dog! 😛 (BTW, love the image of him running and sliding into people. How adorable.) Biscuit has a big ask. Any idea how to fulfill it? Maybe you need an office job, so you can scope out the hotties. 😉

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    1. Oh, Betsy. You are amazing for your ability to get down to the heart of things! I wish you’d met Biscuit, too! But I’m hopeful you’ll meet Cooper.

      As to your excellent question, I think you asked this way back when I put your tattoo on your arm. Starbucks? A class? The store? The gym? I’m sure I could come up with something if I got off the fence. I’m working on it, my dear friend!! 🙂 🙂 ❤

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