Fall - 2022

I have come to the conclusion that dogs are better at being dogs than humans are at being human. Makes me wonder whether dogs have been put here to show us how to be better humans. Sadly, we often don’t appreciate this until after they are gone. (Or we are.) The above has led me to ponder the following: Do dogs do anything knowingly or purposely to hurt themselves phys- ically, mentally or emotionally? Why would any sentient crea- ture do that? Truly, we humans have become quite proficient at self-sabotage. And you should probably stop reading right now if you have sensitivities regarding the mental and physical contortions we humans put ourselves through—and seem happy to do unto others of our species! Lots of research into why dogs do the things they do. Still more to explain. But with all the psychologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, etc. we humans have at our disposal, we’re still working on why being human so often drags us down to being less than—or even downright inhuman. Explaining my deficiencies to Winnie, I fall back on: “Give me a break, girl. I’m only human!” Thankfully, our pooches do not bear that burden. Being canine means they don’t cogitate endlessly about everything. I don’t believe Winifred wallows in self-recrimina- tion and soul stomping guilt over past transgressions. Dogs don’t lie to others, and themselves, to justify their behavior. They see no need to waste time on such foolishness. And dogs are comfortable in their own fur—don’t try to be something they’re not.They aren’t taken in by outward appear- ances. Don’t fall for the presentation, the façade.They see right through us. Sniff any disconnect between our words and behav- ior.They don’t come with a hidden agenda, like some of us. That said, one of our more ignominious emotional booby- traps has wormed its way into our sweet fur babies. Where else but from humans have they learned jealousy! But Winnie’s jealousy of other humans in my life is so endearing, I’m happy to forgive. She has proved to be just as forgiving of my trans- gressions—borne more from my head than my heart. Ahhhh… the head.The brain.The mind! “A terrible thing to waste,” the saying goes. Or maybe just a terrible thing! Period. So much talk today about our need for “mindfulness.” Which is not a bad thing. (Depending, I suppose, on what your mind is full of.) I confess to being full of it a lot of the time— which is definitely not a good thing. My salvation comes when I allow myself some “mind-less” time out.Time to turn off the mind machine and simply notice all the amazing dogginess of Winifred. When she never tires of chasing a stinky old tennis ball.When she finds her dog bone squeaky toy and squeezes the piercing squeak out of it again and again and again. Always makes me smile. When she takes me for a walk and notices all the wonder nature has to offer while I stand there trying in vain to keep up with her excited eyes, ears and nose. Winnie notices everything. We humans seem too busy to notice much of anything. Our heads mired in that mental mulligan stew of past regrets and future what- ifs. Makes me realize, again, my abject limitations as a human. Truly, we humans are a strange breed. Complicated, and complicating even the most trivial things. In “The Untethered Soul” Michael Singer writes, “The only thing you really want from life is to feel enthusiasm, joy and love.” I’m sure Winnie would like to howl that when listening to me bellyache grievances against the folly of my fellow primates. Don’t think Winifred harbors any such gripes against fellow canines. Winnie lives in the moment. And I can either be stuck rehashing the past, worrying the future or be there with her in the here and now. Hmmmm…Tough choice. A best-selling golf humorist in a previous life, Mark Oman is co- author with Winifred of “Life is Good. I’m a Dog…And You’re Not!—Four-legged Lessons for a Day Well Lived.” Mark and Winnie live in Carmel with their four-legged brother, Winston, and Mark’s two-legged wife, Barbara. Contact Winifred (or Mark) at: mark@markoman.com . DOG TALES M A R K O M A N Winnie notices every- thing.We humans seem too busy to notice much of anything. Our heads mired in that mental mulligan stew of past regrets and future what-ifs. Dogs Are Better at It… 48 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 2