Opening our minds to a new thing or a new way of thinking is often frightening because by definition it’s unfamiliar. Unfamiliarity often rings the alarm bell “danger—potentially unsafe.” But if you think about it, most of the things we fear don’t actually come to pass. What’s more, we’re often unable to anticipate the good things that do occur as a result of our trying something new. When we do try something new, we often wonder why we didn’t try it before. 

Now this occurs for us humans quite frequently. Some people enjoy trying something new, others resist dreadfully and have to be dragged into the new regime kicking and screaming, while others place a new face on, breathe in deeply, to splash in gracefully and eagerly. Trying new things can be a little challenging for some people.  While it is quite scary to try something new, we’ll be able to change not only ourselves and perspectives  but other aspects of our life without even knowing it. Little do we know, trying new things can change our life positively.

Now for a weird question.

But what about our pets? What about our furry animals who live with us and settle in our new routines? Those animals who work and sleep beside us and are steeped in those traditions that belong to our family, in what we do and how we as humans operate. Think about it…do we ever think about how our pets feel when given and experience of something new?

Today I had the pleasure (and the terror I must admit ) of placing my two dogs into something  quite new for me ( and for them) called “doggy day-care”. I had no idea what that meant, but was told that our dogs would love it. Concerns and trepidation of course from me as one dog is 12 and the other is 7- only ever have been with us and with each other. Due to our long work hours and loneliness, they are now barking and disturbing the neighbours, which is not nice for all concerned and a worry for us when at our workplace. We had always walked and ran them on the beach, swamped in our love in playing and relaxation time with us,  when home. But now, we had have had to find a way to assist their loneliness as we cannot take them to work with us, they are golden retrievers! This ‘Doggy Day-Care’ was something new. Untried. Will it hurt?

So, the unknown ahead, we tried this new venture.

Actually, our dogs tried this new venture.

I went to work.

But what a trauma for me it was!

I arrived  at the pickup point where Heidi met me. My  two dogs just would not get into her van  without a lot of cajoling and pushing- the youngest dog looking at me with soulful eyes as the door shut, saying with his black eyes against his white coat, ‘please, please, please  don’t leave me…’. and the van drove away. I walked back to my car, thinking of our youngest dog who suffers separation anxiety when away from his older brother ( having always been with him from day one) …and needed a lot of attention. He was a very needy dog. How was he going to be? How would my oldest dog react who had always ‘come first’? How was he going to be in a pack of dogs at his old age ,away from the family home? Feeling very close to tears, watching the van drive away, I truly felt like a young mother leaving her child at day care or preschool for the very first time. I headed into work, wondering how the day was going to be for both of us! You know or remember that feeling?

I need not to have worried.

The beautiful owner sent me numerous videos throughout the day of the dogs exploring their new ‘day’ place. I was presented  with my dog family running through large open paddocks ( once the youngest moved off the fence line to follow his brother), followed by roaming and springing with other dogs, they had never met before. Dogs have a different code to us. They both looked happy. Extremely happy. This digital imagery was so much more than what I ever received when I sent my child to preschool decades ago, in my mid 20’s! 

Here in this new setting, our dogs were experiencing something totally innovative and different from whatever they had been exposed to so far in our family home. The norm was swept away, because this NEW experience gave them a whole different world of learning, of fun, of amusement and a totally new knowledge for both of them.

I wonder how they felt.  Did hey resist dreadfully and have to be dragged into the new outdoors kicking and screaming? Did they enjoy trying something new? Did they resist dreadfully and have to be dragged into the new outdoors kicking and screaming? Did it Hurt?

Who knows? I actually do not think so. Whatever they may have felt at the beginning, when I collected them in the afternoon, they jumped happily into my car, but were not afraid. They were not desperate to get away from the van. They both had huge smiles on their faces and loved the pats from Heidi who complimented them on their behaviour. We must not forget their “dog of the day’ awards placed around their neck. I need not have worried. They were content. Extremely happy to see me, but content.

Where are they now?

Asleep on their beds. Exhausted. I actually don’t think they have moved since dinner! When they do move it is like, no….I am too tired!  Probably dreaming of their next day at the doggy day care later in the week!

We all enjoy learning new things. We all want to feel like we’re getting something out of what we’re doing. WE should be trying new things all the time, but sometimes life gets in the way and we forget. Oh.. and while you are thinking about my thoughts, don’t forget, we should never be afraid to try new things, and make some mistakes, it’s all part of life and learning. Even at times , if it does hurt. Something to think about because that also can include our furry animals!

Weird thoughts perhaps..but do think about it!