Who Cares How It Used To Be?

On this trip people have started saying I’m “slowing down.”

This is Monte, dropping in for my occasional guest post. If you aren’t a long-time follower of RICH’S RIDE, we share a little secret here: I’m really able to understand everything Becky and Rich say.

This “slowing down” thing apparently has something to do with my age. I don’t understand age, because I’m just a dog and we don’t do math. But Rich told someone I’m nine years old, which is sixty-three in people years. So I’m a little older than Rich, I guess.

As near as I can tell, some people seem to think I can’t do as much as I “used to.” I don’t understand why that matters.

Since I’m just a dog, I don’t remember much about how things used to be. I’m just who I am right now, and that’s really all I care about.

I don’t get the point of comparing me to what I “used to be.” I’m still a service dog, and I do all I can for Rich (and Becky, too). That hasn’t changed. When Rich needs me to pick something up, I do my best. Why would anybody care what I did a long time ago?

I still love to run with Rich when he bikes. I don’t care how far we go—I never have. I’ve always trusted Rich to know where we should go, and I have a lot of fun and running helps keep me healthy. So we’re all having fun and it makes us happy—why would someone get sad because I run “less than I used to”?

I still get on Rich’s lap and he hugs me. I still chase tennis balls. I still cuddle with Becky. We have a great time together. Isn’t that enough?

I wonder if people worry about how they used to be. Do they get sad about comparing themselves to what they used to be able to do? If they do, I think they should stop. I think they should just be who they are right now and stop worrying about who they used to be.

I think everyone can help and love and serve, and they could do that better if they didn’t worry about what used to be. I think if they just did the stuff they can do right now they’d make a lot of people happy. And if they need an extra nap once in a while, most people will understand.

It doesn’t seem that hard. But, I’m just a dog.

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(It’s Rich again.) Monte guest blogs occasionally. You can read his other articles here.

Becky and I shared a great day of biking on Wednesday. I did about 31 miles through Scottsdale, Tempe, and Chandler. As we hit the outskirts of the metro area Becky jumped on her bike and ticked off the highway miles toward Casa Grande.

Our ride was cut a bit short by a road with tons of traffic and absolutely no shoulder. But with 438 miles behind us, that 500-mile finish line seems just over the horizon.

Today we do a radio spot and a newspaper interview in Casa Grande. Then we’ll crank some miles before speaking at the Teen Challenge Home of Hope this evening.

Sounds like fun, huh? I told you this would be a blast!

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