The Wisdom of Dogs
Kent Olson and his dog, Thunder, search through the rubble for victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Credit: Andrea Booher/FEMA News Photo
This photograph is one of many striking images composing K-9 Courage, an exhibition in the September 11 Memorial & Museum honouring the hundreds of dogs that participated in the response to the attacks. With dedication and specialised expertise, these four-legged responders searched the wreckage of the crash sites for survivors and victims, and they comforted responders and the families of victims. When images of the dogs at work appeared in news coverage, they brightened 9/11’s dark aftermath.
There is something magical about dogs - particularly working dogs - that gives you a sense that a greater force is at work through these beautiful creatures. Their mission to happily complete a task for their master to the best of their abilities is something to behold. Successful working dogs are intelligent, intuitive, hard-working, dedicated, and loyal; and like all dogs, offer unconditional love. They also display a sense of wisdom that can act as a wonderful teacher to us humans - from living unselfishly, putting the pack first, and living for the moment. Their importance to us is far-reaching, but only when we look really closely do we see just how much we can learn from them.
Some of my fondest, and saddest, childhood memories revolved around our working dogs on the farm I grew up on. One dog in particular - Wally - was a lively, Red Kelpie who Dad insisted come inside in front of the fire when it was cold. He wasn’t the best sheep dog going around (yes, he was a little spoilt), but he provided so much joy, fun and happiness into our lives, he became another member of the family. It’s this love - that goes both ways between dog and master - where the magic happens, and what I saw recently on display when I visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York, and an ethical dog sledding company in Vermont.
Jim Blair runs ‘Eden Ethical Dog Sledding’ and I found him when I was researching things to do in the North East of the US in winter. Dog sledding wasn’t something I was seeking out, but it found me, and I tend to jump at those fortuitous moments that I like to see as a sign. I kinda fell in love with Jim when I rang him. His passion for his dogs came through loud and clear over the phone, and he was extremely helpful in offering suggestions of places to stay and things to do in the area. I’ll admit though, I was a little cautious in making a booking. I guess my hesitation came from a place of concern over animal welfare, as well as my own ego - was it a little hedonistic to be pulled around on a dog sled, just for fun? It’s one thing when working dogs are used for what they’re trained for - rescuing, therapy, stock management, transportation etc, but for our own thrills, well, I wasn't sure about that.
What I learnt in my research though, was that Jim is a pretty special person, whose number one priority is the care of his dogs. As they say on their website: ‘We invite you to learn about the International Sprint Race Champions, the UN-Chained Gang and Champion race musher, Jim Blair’s revolutionary vision of ethical dog sledding. For twenty years they have stood for love, quality care – no lives on chains! – and sharing the joy that well kept, Alaskan Huskies bring to children and adults - humanity!’
‘T'he UN-Chained Gang are seven generations of pack/human raising of litters as wolves do - the pups are kept together for their lives, never sold. In addition, dogs are rescued from race chaining kennels. Together they explore canine consciousness - and allow the true wisdom, sensibility, individuality and ability to make their own decisions emerge.’ Deborah Blair
Once I’d done my research and come to the conclusion that Jim’s was, as he says ethical, I realised that there was a really strong pull for me to forge ahead and make the booking. And I am so thankful that I did, for what I saw on display at Jim’s really was a slice of magic.
It was a magnificent day - there was fresh powdered snow on the ground, the sky was a brilliant blue, and there was a freshness in the air that reminded me of the sweet smell of a babies head. The air was thick with anticipation in the car on the way up, we were excited about what lay ahead.
The two hour booking started with an educational session - where we learnt about breeding, pack dynamics, dog consciousness and feeding habits; then playing and cuddling with the dogs, and learning how to harness them. Next was sledding! I chatted at length with Jim and the staff, and I came away thinking wow - these dogs are treated better than my own children! The food, supplements, sleeping beds and general lifestyle of these dogs was pretty enviable. As stated on the website:
‘Jim believes that education, fun, caring for the environment, and animal welfare can all be combined to make a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience. Why not sled with the best?’
It put to rest my fears that there was any cruelty to the dogs at this particular dog sledding business, and my ego was a little happier that the thrill was justified as a great teaching lesson for myself and the family. Our money was going towards the best care for these beautiful creatures, and would also help less cared for chained dogs at other kennels be adapted by a loving owner.
Here’s a little iPhone photo story of the day…
Harnessing and choosing the dogs (I loved all the names, especially Mitzy which was the name of a beloved dog of Mum’s).
Education.
Getting to know the dogs - perhaps the most beautiful part.
Sledding - amazing, and the dogs seemed to love it!
The scene felt like something out of Narnia. I was just waiting for the White Witch to appear around the corner.
Then it was feeding time!
This is Jim.
And some of his trophies!
It had been the most remarkable morning of fun, education, magic and beauty, but it was about to get even better for myself. As we were leaving, Jim gifted me a book ‘Luna Tales - The Wisdom Runner’, written by his sister, Deborah Blair. In brief, it’s an epic adventure where the characters - including the UN-chained Gang, part of the Wisdom Runners - journey into a mythical world together, where they face powers of light and dark. Along the way, they follow the truth of their hearts as they learn about dreams, missions, and dedicating oneself to the greater good. Something was telling me that I didn’t just come to Jim’s for the dog sledding. There were far deeper messages I needed to feel, hear and read from the experience, and it felt like a really poignant read at the end of the tumultuous year that was 2020. I could tell you a little more, but I think the reviews perfectly convey the underlying meaning of the story.
“It is a wonderful adventure and can be read for just that. But, also, this story is so full of the most amazing combination of fantasy, reality, the redemptive qualities of hope, perseverance and the ability for us to heal ourselves of the emotional traumas within us.”
“It definitely feels like Narnia and has elements of the Wizard of Oz... yet all with the awakening elements and teachings of intuition, psychic communication, and the power of love and light.”
”Only a truly expanded consciousness could craft a world where kindness, individual commitment to the good of all and spiritual growth are the norm.”
As per her biography, as well as being born with Asperger’s Autism, and loving nature and canines, author Deborah Blair is also a psychotherapist specialising in the work of Carl Jung. She loves helping individuals heal their personal story using fairytales and mythology to support personal healing on their journey to finding their authenticity. I think reading the book for me, reinforced the message that we can find love and wisdom in some surprising places (animals and Mother Nature), and that sometimes we just have to look a little harder, dig a little deeper, or change our perspective to really find it - there are teaching lessons in everything that we do.
One of my favorite passages, that felt reflective of both my time in the US as well as this COVID period, was this one:
“When we answer the call to journey, often we are rewarded with surprises. With our eyes open we find real magic: there is more to see and experience in our lives than we imagined - even in the small moments. These times of wonder, sent to us by the light, strengthen our hearts, souls and spirits for challenges that also come our way. Thus we pray that our eyes, ears and hearts be open, even in what seem to be mundane times, so that we may enjoy the journey and be up to whatever crosses our path.”
I feel extremely lucky that I, along with my family, have been able to answer our call to journey - to the US, to Vermont, and to the 9/11 Memorial. We’ve been privileged to experience the wonderful teachings by these dogs of wisdom, dedication and living unselfishly; and to have basked in the magic and beauty that is the working dog.
As the journey of our US chapter draws closer to closing, and I anxiously await the next stage (in particular, what I’m going to do when I grow up!), I hope that I will remember what I’ve learnt from these ‘Wisdom Runners’, and keep in mind the following passage from the book:
“There are times when Wisdom Runners are called to go forth and find the truth when life is endangered. But darkness confuses us; often there is a rift between the facts before our eyes and what we sense in our hearts. If we choose to journey it must be with faith that our devotion to truth and light is guiding us. Thus we pray to know when the knowing in our hearts needs to be pursued - and the courage and sense to follow it.”
This is a great 3 minute video on working dogs through the ages. They really are the most magnificent creatures.
And finally, while not exactly related to dogs (except for the two you’ll see that make up the family), this song is about ‘living in this beautiful world’, and I thought fitting for this post. I heard it for the first time while I was writing this, and it stopped me in my tracks - because it’s sublime, and a little piece of home, which I’ve been missing. It’s a new song by the brilliantly talented Australian singer/songwriter Xavier Rudd and it’s really worth a listen.
Enjoy…