Monte Puts Things In Perspective

Monte doesn’t get concerned about elections.

He also doesn’t fuss about age, beauty, money, or most of the other stuff his human friends get twisted up about. So I thought, on this day when there’s so much angst, we could all use his wisdom from three years ago.

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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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“Everyone can help and love and serve.”

“If they just did the stuff they can do right now they’d make a lot of people happy.”

Wisdom for this, or any, day.

And taking a cue from Monte…perhaps the best thing we could all do today is simply take a nap.