What Do Golden Retrievers Know That We Don’t?

In this link to a marvelous video, a crowd of golden retrievers has just been dropped off at the local swimming hole.

13 Golden Retrievers + 1 River = 46 Seconds Of Absolute Zen 

It is impossible not to smile watching them play in the water. What do they know that we don’t?

They have three things going for them: they really like to have fun, they love the water, and they don’t have a quarrel with each other. Plenty of room for everybody. It doesn’t occur to them not to like each other–that’s not in their nature. A more loving dog doesn’t exist on the planet–I’d take that to court.

It’s also impossible after the video ends not to wish we–humans, specifically–could do the same thing. We step fast into ego, not out of it, somewhere around the age of six years. Before then, we’re golden retriever material.

After age six we spend most of our life coping with that ego, and we usually let it rule–after all, we’re here to win, succeed, achieve, make lots of money (or try to), and make sure the other guy or gal doesn’t get there first. OR we use that ego to manipulate others in an active-passive way. OR we spend an inordinate amount of time self-absorbed. We make friends, but too often have conditions attached. We can get carried away by–and feed on–our own grievances. We can hold on to negative memories with a tenacity long after the events have ended.

You have to wonder why. Why let that ego rule? Self-defense? Self-doubt? It definitely isn’t because we’re sure of much.

Back to the golden retrievers. They smile with their whole body, mind, and spirit. They can’t help it. There’s no self-consciousness, no one-upmanship, no desperation, no competition. Just a sheer exuberance for living, and for being here on this earth.

Here’s a thought. Spend one hour sometime this week letting yourself feel only exuberance for life, nothing else. Think of it as a gift to yourself. If an hour seems too long, try it for fifteen minutes. If you do, leave a comment–tell the outcome. It just might make someone smile…

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