Book Excerpt:

"Life is a Surprise"

Many of these dogs slink away when they see us approach, but for a few, curiosity wins out. This semi-feral puppy, well socialized by local children, was unique among reserve dogs. She had a desperate need for attention and - as we quickly discovered - was incredibly talented at getting it. She was hell-bent on exploring the world and there was no stopping her. While we tried to attend to the other dogs, this little mischief-maker persisted in nuzzling and pawing, interfering at every turn. Exasperated, we finally grabbed her and put her into an empty trough to contain her for a few minutes - but she was out again in no time. "Into the Trough" soon became a game, and this puppy was calling the shots to perfection; she obviously enjoyed the thrill of being airlifted into the stainless steel tub. Once there, she would sniff around for a millisecond, as though to orientate herself; then she'd pop her head up with a look that said, "Hey, where's all the attention gone?" With an exaggerated leap, she'd fling herself out of the tub and dash back at warp speed to the centre of all the action. Wherever she saw the attention of human hands was where she wanted to be. As much we tried, our serious focus on accomplishing our tasks with the other dogs was no match for her lively exuberance. On a windy, sunny 15C day, this energetic puppy was in full play mode, trying to entice anyone with two or four legs to join in the game of life, even as she was receiving an implant. Sadly, when we returned to check on all the dogs four weeks later, this puppy had disappeared.

"Life is like that: you have to live it in the moment,
always between the 'be' and 'becoming,'
the gap where your whole life is really contained. "

Life is what the playful puppy in the trough demonstrated so well: it always comes as a surprise. There is no rehearsal for living this life. You cannot prepare, you can never be ready, and you simply cannot imagine what is coming next. Life is like that: you have to live it in the moment, always between the "be" and "becoming," the gap where your whole life is really contained. This puppy, intensely tuned into seizing each challenge as an opportunity for growth, was a true original, taking risks and accepting life's hurdles without hesitation. Brilliance and intelligence shone through her spontaneity; she had no time to waste imitating anyone else. Taken unaware by our sudden presence, she decided the only way to get on with life was not to lag behind, but to create her own actions in response to ours. She could have withdrawn, but instead she joined in, rejoicing in matching our moves. In doing so, she unknowingly expressed a tremendous affirmation for life. In the few moments we spent with her, we all sensed her ultimate ecstasy in being alive. This puppy lived her actions and interactions wholeheartedly and in totality, so utterly absorbed by the present that she had no time and no energy for the past or the future. She bounced from moment to moment with joyful abandon and boundless cheer. She could have been a spectator, watching our actions from afar, but no - she chose to be engaged. For this small creature, life was a gift, not a punishment - a mystery to be lived, but never solved, one breath at a time.