Lesson from a prodigal puppy

 I'm no stranger to my day starting off on the run.  Countless times I've risen to an early alarm, suited up and headed out for a morning run of anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.  Today was a different kind of running start.  There's no time to warm up or mentally prepare for the dash that ensues when a gust of west wind blows the front door open and our blond bombshell of a golden retriever makes her break.

 As I zig to intercept her zag all around the neighborhood, an adrenaline fueled cocktail of emotion starts getting shaken not stirred behind the pounding pulse in my head.  Concern for Sophie's safety, as she is not at all street smart and prone to dart in any direction, along with simmering anger that this debacle is going to make me late for Saturday coffee n bagel with my folks, mixes with the inescapable knowledge that this is all my fault.  Exhibit A - I have a golden retriever who has never been actually trained to do anything, and I mean anything that a golden retriever wouldn't do if raised by other untrained golden retrievers.  Exhibit B - I haven't been taking the time out of my day to walk her and burn off some of that desire to experience life and smells outside the property lines.  And finally, perhaps most damning of all , Exhibit C - Hey dumbass, it's really windy outside, maybe bolt the front door?

 So the really challenging part of all this comes after the catch is made and we return home.  None of the anger and anxiety that dumped into my system over the previous ten minutes can be unleashed, nor should it be, on this panting, frolicking doggy.  Dog's, even trained ones, aren't too bright.  And even though I'm no dog trainer I do know a thing or two about conditioning.  You don't punish a dog for returning home.  So it's all "good girl" and strokes and rubs and treats in the hope that it reinforces in her the desire to not venture too far from home where all the strokes, rubs and treats are.

 This got me thinking about the well-known story of the prodigal son in the 15th chapter of Dr. Luke's part of the Bible.  After years of rebellion and the squandering of his inheritance, the prodigal son is not only welcomed home to a wide embrace by his father, but they throw a party to celebrate his return.  Now in the case of humans, this isn't simply conditioning.  After all , we're somewhat brighter than golden retrievers and can in many cases be reasoned with.  No, this is just a great example of how we should treat eachother.

 I've been on the receiving end of this - and it's both humbling and perhaps the greatest gift one can receive from a friend or family member.  My heart still swells when I recall those moments when a tearful look in the eyes or a tight embrace conveys the message better than any words, that I'm forgiven, the past is the past, and we again have a future together - as a friend, a father, a husband, a son.  It's not always about deserving, it's about making the most of the short time we have with all the other flawed yet beautiful people in our lives.

 At this moment, Sophie is contentedly snoozing next to me on the rug, I'm contentedly finishing up a blog entry, and speaking for myself at least, very content to be done with all the ziging and zagging that thankfully led both of us back home.