“That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way.” Doris Lessing
When I was 10 or so, someone asked me this silly riddle: “How do you get down from an elephant?”
Naturally, I immediately pictured myself perched high on an elephant’s back. The process of how I got up there was completely missing. Which in turn meant that I could not figure out how I was going to dismount. While I was giving that serious thought, the riddler grew impatient with me and shouted out the answer: “You don’t get down from an elephant. You get down from a goose!” and they stormed off.
Now I had an image of myself riding a goose, which was ludicrous. No one was around to explain the riddle, so I tucked it away in my mind as something to be puzzled over and solved. I knew there was something I was missing that would unlock that riddle’s meaning. To be fair, our family was somewhat poor. We had foam pillows and cotton quilts and sturdy woolen coats, not pillows, parkas or comforters filled with tiny feathers. So another definition of down did not spring to mind. For years.
Then one day, in biology class, the teacher explained how geese used down – small soft feathers – to line their nests. In one joyful zap, my brain made the connection: Elephants don’t have down, but geese do! I was so pleased to finally solve that riddle that I started laughing loudly, saying, “Oh, I get it! I get it!”
I also got a stern lecture from my teacher, but no matter. Solving that long standing question “what the heck does that mean?” was worth it. I just love learning and those AHA! moments. They are fun and I get to take that new understanding with me. Sometimes, I have to think about things a long time until the AHA! finally arrives, but the journey to that moment and what happens after that moment is where the lasting joy occurs.
If you’re reading this, you are a lot like me when it comes to dogs. You want to know more. You want to understand better. You find dogs utterly fascinating, and can talk about them and think about them and spend time with them – oh, forever. You want the AHA moments! This is the work I try to do: help others learn more, and share with you what I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way, sometimes at the expense of an animal). What you will find here on this website are countless ways to deepen your understanding of and connection to dogs.
New understanding is a gift you take with you forever.
Here in the Northeast US, we’re heading into the long months of winter. I don’t know about you, but I particularly love how winter makes it possible for me to slow down a bit and pursue new knowledge and understanding. It’s a wonderful way to grow while curled up on the couch, don’t you think? I watch the snow blanketed fields and know what unseen, trees and plants are busy preparing for the spring. It just looks like they’re resting. Good role models!
Take some time to look around and dive into all we have to offer, no matter what the season may be!
