The mindfulness of a puppy

Kona and his pile of toys on his first morning at home.

Puppies are nuts. And my new 10 week old puppy, Kona, who I brought home last Friday, is no exception. They are these insane little balls of uncoordinated energy whose lives have been completely turned upside down. In an instant, they’ve been taken from everything they know, sent away with a complete stranger, and had to begin a whole new life — and all of this at a time when they have the emotional maturity of a toddler.

Kona and I had a “ruff” first night together but as the week has worn on, we’ve startle settling into our routines together. And, as I try to teach him the basics of house manners and obedience, he is already beginning to teach me things.

We’ve started taking very short morning and afternoon walks in our neighborhood. His leash walking skills are right up there with his potty training skills right now, so, about a 60%. When he decides to go trotting along on a loose leash he’s amazing. And, then, he just stops.

This morning, when he stopped for about the fifth time in less than 20 feet, I noticed he put his nose up — a sure sign something caught his attention. It was then that I noticed the birds singing their songs, a dog barking in the distance, and how the sun was starting to hit my face. In that moment of stillness, I was present. I owe that to my new puppy, Kona.