5 Lessons on Living Well from Lacey Jane the Sailor Dog
This morning I woke to what I thought was either thunder right above our boat, or a plane breaking the sound barrier. The bang was immense and palpable. Our four year old Cavoodle dog, Lacey Jane, bolted through the door and jumped up on the bed, dove under the covers and curled up next to me, jammed in close, so I was spooning her soft little body.
“What was that?” I asked my husband, who was already up brewing coffee.
“Thunder. You should have seen Lacey! She was having her breakfast in the cockpit, then next minute she flew into my arms. She did it in one jump.”
We lift Lacey up and down the stairs in the companionway multiple times a day, so she’s used to being carried regularly. Usually though, it’s a slow, drawn out affair, as she likes to show us who’s boss, by stretching and dawdling, even when she’s asked to come down.
“The whole boat filled with a flash. The lighting was very close,” my husband continued.
“But it’s not even raining,” I said.
“Yes it is.”
I checked the hatch above my head and found he must have closed it earlier.
Lacey snuggled in closer to my body and I patted her soft fur and talked quietly, “It’s ok puppy dog. You’re ok. Everything’s alright. You got a fright, didn’t you? You’re ok.”
Her breathing slowed and her heart-rate returned to normal after a couple of minutes.
She knew to give herself what she needed most when she was afraid; a blanket over her head and cuddles.
Earlier this week, Andrew used our new (from Gumtree) hookah, which is an air compressor unit connected to a regulator so you can breathe underwater, to dive below the boat and clean the hull. He donned his weight belt, complete with additional weights to counteract his unusually buoyant bum (he won’t mind me saying) and figured out the quirks of our new rig. When he dives, he looks like one of those birds in Dr Sueses books, with his buoyant bottom rising to the surface.
The entire time he was underwater, Lacey sat at the end of the boat, keeping a look out, watching and waiting for her master. After a while, I climbed down onto the small step above the waterline and we sat together, her on my lap, watching the bubbles rise to the surface and his blurry shape behave like those morphing mirrors at the show ground in sync with the moving waves.
We sat there for 30 minutes, and although she would have liked to have been sleeping, she didn’t stop looking for what she wanted.
She kept a look out for the one she loves.
“You’re a dog of routine,” my husband says most nights.
Lacey Jane will curled up on the couch after dinner, or in her bed with her favourite blanket under the table, tucking her head into the corner so the light doesn’t disturb her sleep.
Her adherence to a daily routine is enviable. As someone who is constantly adjusting her morning and evening routines, Lacey knows exactly what she wants and is unapologetic in asking for it. When it’s time for breakfast, she lets us know. When it’s time for dinner, she tries to get it two hours early. And despite being told it’s too early, she’ll ask again in 15 mins until it’s finally time to eat.
She knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it. She isn’t put off easily.
When the time comes for walks, her enthusiasm and excitement is unbridled.
“Is it time for walkies?” we ask.
She jumps on her hind legs, front paws outstretched, dancing up and down and in circles as we try to put her lifejacket on.
Once in her jacket, she bounces across the back deck until I sit down. She jumps on my lap, and stops her wiggling for just enough time to allow me to lift her by the handle and lower her into the tender for the ferry ride to shore.
She loves what she loves and doesn’t apologise for it. And, she makes sure she gets to enjoy it regularly, by sharing her enthusiasm.
Whether we’re travelling in our van, sailing across Sydney Harbour, or painting in the studio, Lacey makes the most of every occasion. She has no awareness, that I know about, of being worried about what’s going to happen in the future, or holding onto regrets, grudges or disappointments from the past. Whatever the day presents to her, she finds a way to enjoy it.
When she was a puppy and had been spayed, she had a plastic cone around her head to stop her from chewing out her stitches. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she used the cone as a tool to scoop up her ball and throw it for herself. Truly. I thought it was a fluke, until she did it again and again, amusing herself with her built in ball-throwing device.
She is a master at being present (and enjoys life much more as a result).
May we all take a leaf out of Lacey Jane’s book and when we feel scared, unashamedly give ourselves the comfort we need. If we’re afraid of something, ask ourselves how we can give ourself a sense of safety and love, instead of berating ourselves or trying to be different than we are.
When we love someone, keep an eye out for them. Special people are what matter in life.
When we want something, find the persistence to not give up. Even if others tell us it’s not time, or we can’t have what we’re asking for, hold our desire in our heart and keep pursuing it. Our desire might not come in the timing or form we expect, but following our heart will always lead to good things.
When we love something, embrace it enthusiastically and share our enthusiasm with others. If you want to experience more creativity and satisfaction in your life, make time for your hobbies and pursuits and don’t apologise to your loved ones. Instead, share with them what a difference it makes to you, and your joy after spending time doing what you love.
And finally, when we are journeying through this one life, stay present to what is happening now, because we don’t get to go around twice.
I’d love to hear the lessons your pets have taught you, please leave a comment below 🙂
Have a beautiful week in this lead up to Christmas. Be kind to yourself.
~ Nicola xx
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