By Denise Crane

Duke is the largest member of our pack. He’s a black Lab mix weighing in at around ninety-five pounds (currently under orders to trim down some). Bryan’s girlfriend Marissa rescued him from a shelter as a puppy. He was abandoned by the side of the road at five weeks old, suspected to have come from a Lab puppy mill. He has a peculiar pattern of lines and patches on his skin that the vet said are the result of chemical burns having had chemicals spilled or thrown on him. I cannot imagine anyone who could use chemicals on a puppy. In fact, I don’t even want to think about what type of person uses acid-like chemicals on anyone or anything. Ever. 

During the summer, we treat his skin with suntan lotion to protect it from burning. Since he loves to swim in the pool, he gets slathered up often. I suspect he thinks we are just giving him extra attention, and we never tell him anything different. 

I often wonder what goes on in Duke’s mind. He seems to have little connection to things in the past (maybe that is how he can be such a happy dog after having such a horrific puppyhood?). He also doesn’t anticipate things well (except that when the timer goes off, it’s time for dinner). Periodically, if too much is going on around him, he starts a sort of howling barking. He has a big bark. I frequently have no idea what he is barking about, and I suspect he may not either. And it’s okay.

You see, what I observe in this dog is his capacity to live in the present moment. This gentle giant of a dog is right where he is when he is there. He loves to wrestle with his pack, dig in the dirt, eat plastic bottles, scrounge in the trash, and steal your warm spot in the chair or sofa you just got up from. He eats sticks. He eats socks. And he will receive a treat from your hand as gently as I have ever seen a dog do that. Like he really understands he could hurt you, even though he desperately wants that tidbit of food. 

I can learn a lot from this gentle giant about how to be in harmony with who I am and where I am, and experience wonder and joy in the creation around me. I love having Duke in our pack.