I think of
The dog trainer says that all games need to be initiated by me. All toys need to stay in my possession. I need to end the games, and I, of course, always win.
When a privileged super power bullies a struggling non-super power or bribes them and is cruel to them (sanctions; threats; bombs), the non-super power is not only put on the defense, but also put in the position of the victim of the threatening force (see “Bully in the White House,” Media Cake issue #1).
I put down the Cesar Milan videos, the several books, the literal words of Zorro’s trainer (whom I respect), and I began to engage with Zorro intuitively and with my heart. I tried applying my armchair philosophies for peace on the planet with my relationship with Zorro. During our training, I began talking to him in my own tone of voice. I immediately felt more authentic and was able to access kindness and respect toward him that I couldn’t find in my guise as Dog Owner/Pack Leader. We weren’t able to graduate to the next level of obedience training as some of the fellow students did, but something beautiful started to happen to our relationship.
For at least a decade before 9/11, I believed that I was living
in a time when human beings could evolve past, well, our past. I hoped
that we were finally capable of elevating the human condition toward
world peace through modeling, investments, fair global exchanges,
educated and respectful world ambassadors, enriched communication
and massive possibilities on the world wide web, the international
love of rock-n-roll. I still believe the best is possible, and so
many people are doing such good work, but we took a very large step
backward since 9/11. It was a missed opportunity to take that evolutionary
jump toward finding and defining ways to bring the world together
toward a better future. Trade and technology has opened up so many
portals, but our leaders are still dealing with global problems using
destructive, non-evolutionary mentalities and tactics.
The love and trust that I feel from and with Zorro is very special to me, and was cultivated through respect, kindness, and an understanding of his needs. Also, investing time doing things that he enjoys. I gained access to Zorro’s heart by being me without the power struggle (which were overcompensations for my own fears, insecurities and inexperience of relating outside my comfort zone). We still train, and finally did graduate out of Level III into Level IV of the VII Level Course. I continue to learn. It’s all about balance.
Isn’t that what
we all want? Balance and a little kindness, respect and the ability
to do what we love– things that nurture our physical and emotional
selves? In what century did this idea of humiliating our neighbor
gain acceptance as a way toward successful relationships? I can’t
help but think that if we adapted a stance of respect toward our international
neighbors and learned about their needs, their concerns, history and
cultures, we might get a lot further into the evolution of peace.
The tough guy stance doesn’t work in nature, as demonstrated in my
own simple and humbling experience with a 20 lb. puppy, and it’s not
working with our cowboy president and his band of thieves. Maybe we
need to revisit what has already been suggested throughout history,
from the philosophical books such as the IChing, the books of the
Toltecs and Buddhists, countless religious texts, and the
Zorro only barks, growls, and pulls toward a new dog he hasn’t met yet when he is tethered to a leash. When he meets dogs at the off-leash dog park, he is very polite and fair with all the dogs he comes across. There is always a sniff dance, and each decides if he wants to play or not. Zorro did finally meet “the wolf” on one of our walks. As usual, they were both on leashes. There was growling and barking and teeth for the longest 4 seconds of my life, and then sniffing, and calm. Fear and tension broken by the opportunity to sniff each other. Zorro now runs happily to the wolf’s yard, tail wagging, never barking and they say hello. I bring treats.
Notes:
1 http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h244.html