(Pictures: Geese and ducks returned to the ice and waters of Reservoir after the snow storm. -- Huddled against the cold. My happy dog, Chance and my other dog, Tina in the Central Park snow yesterday.)
By the time this and three other recent blog entries get posted, I will finally be online again after a full week without phone and Internet services.
This past week is best described as scenes from the "Out of Towners" or perhaps some old episodes of "The Honeymooners." -- Whatever could go wrong has gone wrong.
I don't want to think about possible homes for rescued animals we missed out on during this "comedy of errors" period nor how shoddy and "unresponsive" this organization appears to those who called or emailed about animals this past week.
There is no sense to lament or fret about those things one has no real control over.
Something like "telephone repair" seems to be under the auspices of one monopoly in New York City (Verizon). Its not as though there was option to call someone else or switch to a different service. All repair reports made came back to the same thing: Verizon. The public be damned. We are at the mercy of corporate America in terms of when or even if they show up.
Let's just say I now understand the importance of having back-up cell phone service -- even though I personally have little use or desire for a cell phone.
Perhaps it is just the times we live in. -- Everything seems to need "back-up" these days as so little can be truly counted upon all the time. We need "back-up" to our computers, all technical and electrical devices and even sometimes, relationships.
Indeed, the only exception one can think of to this "rule" (putting aside the eventuals of illness or death) are our pets -- particularly dogs.
The love, trust, protection and reliability of one's dog is consistent, dependable and (with the exceptions of having to provide food, water, basic medical care and shelter) unconditional.
You can always count on your dog greeting you at the door, whether you are in a good mood or bad. Your dog will never be "too busy" for you, get bored with you or look for greener pastures elsewhere. Your dog loves you whether you've taken him/her for a walk around the block or a two hour hike in the park. Your dog is at your feet while you are busy on the computer, talking on the phone or watching TV. Your dog loves you whether you look like a Victoria's Secret model or the latest contestant on "The Biggest Loser." Your dog loves you whether you're the CEO of a large company or just got fired from your tenth job. Most of all, your dog loves you because you just are. The leader of the group -- a valued pack/family member.
Such devotion, consistency and reliability is not subject to the trends, circumstances, whims or changes in any culture -- whether ancient or modern, eastern or western. It just is, always has been and always will be.
The other night, I marveled at the organization, seeming communication skills and cooperation of Canadian geese just before the big snow storm arrived. One minute they were lazingly gliding on the Reservoir, the next they were loudly communicating to each other and finally, they took to the skies in groups of about 15 to 20 birds in perfect "V" formations.
Many humans consider Canadian Geese (like pigeons) to be "nuisances."
That is presumably due to the birds' amazing instincts and skills to reproduce and survive almost anything from extremes in weather to variable or hostile environments.
The animals should be admired for those things and not condemned.
While humans war with each other, go into near panic with the arrival of a few snow flakes or fret and suffer anxiety attacks when technical services go down or a friend or lover doesn't call, the birds (and other animals) just figure out simple ways to endure, thrive and be content.
There is something very nice and appealing about that simplicity in life.
For the past week, being "unplugged" from most of the outside and human world, I've had opportunity to observe and live a little, the "animal" way of life.
In many ways, it has been pretty nice.
For one matter, I have learned to respect and appreciate my dogs (and all animals and nature) far more.
These are the things that never need "back-up." -- PCA
*******
This past week is best described as scenes from the "Out of Towners" or perhaps some old episodes of "The Honeymooners." -- Whatever could go wrong has gone wrong.
I don't want to think about possible homes for rescued animals we missed out on during this "comedy of errors" period nor how shoddy and "unresponsive" this organization appears to those who called or emailed about animals this past week.
There is no sense to lament or fret about those things one has no real control over.
Something like "telephone repair" seems to be under the auspices of one monopoly in New York City (Verizon). Its not as though there was option to call someone else or switch to a different service. All repair reports made came back to the same thing: Verizon. The public be damned. We are at the mercy of corporate America in terms of when or even if they show up.
Let's just say I now understand the importance of having back-up cell phone service -- even though I personally have little use or desire for a cell phone.
Perhaps it is just the times we live in. -- Everything seems to need "back-up" these days as so little can be truly counted upon all the time. We need "back-up" to our computers, all technical and electrical devices and even sometimes, relationships.
Indeed, the only exception one can think of to this "rule" (putting aside the eventuals of illness or death) are our pets -- particularly dogs.
The love, trust, protection and reliability of one's dog is consistent, dependable and (with the exceptions of having to provide food, water, basic medical care and shelter) unconditional.
You can always count on your dog greeting you at the door, whether you are in a good mood or bad. Your dog will never be "too busy" for you, get bored with you or look for greener pastures elsewhere. Your dog loves you whether you've taken him/her for a walk around the block or a two hour hike in the park. Your dog is at your feet while you are busy on the computer, talking on the phone or watching TV. Your dog loves you whether you look like a Victoria's Secret model or the latest contestant on "The Biggest Loser." Your dog loves you whether you're the CEO of a large company or just got fired from your tenth job. Most of all, your dog loves you because you just are. The leader of the group -- a valued pack/family member.
Such devotion, consistency and reliability is not subject to the trends, circumstances, whims or changes in any culture -- whether ancient or modern, eastern or western. It just is, always has been and always will be.
The other night, I marveled at the organization, seeming communication skills and cooperation of Canadian geese just before the big snow storm arrived. One minute they were lazingly gliding on the Reservoir, the next they were loudly communicating to each other and finally, they took to the skies in groups of about 15 to 20 birds in perfect "V" formations.
Many humans consider Canadian Geese (like pigeons) to be "nuisances."
That is presumably due to the birds' amazing instincts and skills to reproduce and survive almost anything from extremes in weather to variable or hostile environments.
The animals should be admired for those things and not condemned.
While humans war with each other, go into near panic with the arrival of a few snow flakes or fret and suffer anxiety attacks when technical services go down or a friend or lover doesn't call, the birds (and other animals) just figure out simple ways to endure, thrive and be content.
There is something very nice and appealing about that simplicity in life.
For the past week, being "unplugged" from most of the outside and human world, I've had opportunity to observe and live a little, the "animal" way of life.
In many ways, it has been pretty nice.
For one matter, I have learned to respect and appreciate my dogs (and all animals and nature) far more.
These are the things that never need "back-up." -- PCA
*******
1 comment:
Great post. We could all learn a lot from animals about coping with life's challenges.
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