There are few things in life that can be controlled. You can’t control when you work, traffic, how hot it is outside, traffic, the people who will interact with you throughout the day and traffic. It can be difficult to motivate yourself out of bed when faced with the undesirable reality that is being a responsible adult. On days that I consider giving up on society and becoming a tent dwelling hermit, dogs remind me the world is survivable. From Rider getting me out of bed to take him for his morning constitutional to the prospect of seeing police K9s when I arrive at work, nothing is more motivational than the prospect of a furry face with a cold wet nose.
The department has a wall surrounding the back area where vehicles are stored, and the planters are a great relief area for the hard working dogs of the department. When I find myself in the yard on work, I always look around hoping to spot a car that brings the promise of a furry friend. Just the other day, I saw a special assignment K9 running behind the building, stretching his legs and emptying his bladder. I paused and watched him to enjoy the uninhibited happiness that being a dog outside brought him.
Working in a police department has a few drawbacks. No one who calls is very polite or patient, and they decline the opportunity to listen and understand the processes by which we can offer assistance. Yet every time I exit the building and see a K9 unit parked, the prospect of maybe seeing one of the dogs employed by the city is enough to brighten my day. When I exit the building through the lobby before public hours, my eye always looks toward the center of the room. A dog statue commemorating the departments fallen K9s sits in the lobby and even the inanimate dog brings me a smile.
Running is another activity I dread. I started running half marathons at the suggestion of a college friend having never run a day in my life. The first races I participated in were the runDisney races in California. The magic and characters on course were enough to get me through the event and inspire me to keep training. Unfortunately, I then started signing up for non-Disney races and I learned that the activity of running on its own is not magical. It’s sweaty, repetitive and often visually limiting. Downtown Los Angeles is not majestic. It’s dirty, with poorly maintained uneven roads and vocal evangelists condemning you for exercise. Yet, a spectator with a dog can get me through the next mile with a smile on my face. I have been known to shout “I love your doggy” and “Hi Puppy” to dogs spotted on course. I’ve run the LA Big 5k three years in a row just to support Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles. It’s not a fun or interesting course, but raising money and bringing awareness to those deserving dogs is worth a Saturday morning in my least favorite town.
Mornings, workdays, and days that end in “Y” can be a struggle and a challenge. Dogs (and coffee) can make everything a little more bearable.
