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On Saturday, August 19, 2017, I attended the Rally Against White Supremacy hosted by a social justice group in Austin, Texas. I decided to bring my dog, a one-year-old Boxer mix: part Boxer, part 10-pounds-of-sugar. His name is Jon Snow and he’s been teaching me how to be a human being since they day he rescued me.
I brought him with me to the rally because he’s a brindle and brindles don’t benefit from white supremacy the way I do. I want him to witness history leaning in the right direction. Maybe I wanted him with me for comfort, knowing there could be violence. Maybe I wanted him with me because I don’t always trust myself to contain my own outrage at these things. Outrage can be blinding. Sometimes my own inner noise over these issues drowns out the best parts of me. I lose sight of my own goodness in the mighty quest to be right. I guess I brought him with me because he makes me a safer person to be around. But what happened once we got there moved me more than anything I heard at the rally.
By the time we arrived, it was over 100 degrees. We moved to the front of the crowd and stood on concrete with the sun beating on us directly. We were baking, but it didn’t occur to me how hot the pavement must’ve been on my pup’s paws. The rally was peaceful except for a couple of minor skirmishes from people passing by but the ATX police were on their A game today. There was no major drama to hijack the event. The vibe was nice. We heard powerful speeches by Congressman Doggett and Mayor Adler, among others.
At first, Jon Snow was a model companion, sitting down, surveying the crowd, and watching the speaker. Then he started his typical routine: going up to everybody sitting around us, smothering them with kisses. He doesn’t ask. He just pours love into your cup until you’re full. What struck me was the effect he had on the protesters. His unpretentiousness spilled over, approaching anybody within distance with kisses, causing people to break out in smiles and giggles. He was typically relentless.
Within a few minutes, I noticed him getting overheated, so I took him over to the shade. A very kind woman approached and offered me a half-bottle of water for him, which he gulped down. It wasn’t enough but he smothered her with thanks. I started searching for more water when two super sweet young ladies approached and took a keen interest in him. The blond in particular was especially attentive to his needs. She noticed he was in some distress and reached over for him. The women lead us to a shop, told us to wait, and went in. A minute later they came out with a tub of water, a tub of ice, and a bottle of water for ME. The blond woman took the ice and rubbed it on his feet, belly, and ears, teaching me how to keep him cool in the Texas heat. Somehow, through Jon Snow, people’s kindness extended to me in a very pure way.
I was so moved by the kindness people showed Jon Snow. I was overwhelmed with joyful gratitude for these women in particular for going out of their way to give him first aid. The irony of the whole thing was this: Here we were making a stand *against* hatred & white supremacy, but it was the interaction between the pup and the protesters that made me experience the true spirit of what we’re trying to go *FOR* in this country. I’ve been to many social justice rallies but I’ve never felt such gratitude and love at one. I’ve always lead through my outrage. The results have been questionable. This feels better. It gives me hope.
My pup, like most dogs, sees no enemies. He sees only friends. Life goals for Jon Snow: #1 play, and #2 lick people. And he doesn’t just give “a little” love. He doesn’t hold any back. There’s no “reserve” tank he holds behind his back while you prove you deserve it. You don’t have to do anything to EARN his love. He jumps on you and smothers you with all he has. People, in turn, gravitate toward him. They regard him with kindness, compassion, and love. There are no ideological differences, no opinions, no biases. There’s no racism. And even if there is – here’s the kicker – Jon Snow doesn’t discriminate. If you’re a human, you’re fair game for loving. As such, most people, even people afraid of dogs, smile and reach for him.
I realize the world of a dog is much simpler than ours. Maybe simple is better.
Thank you, Jon Snow.
#puppywisdom
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Photo Credit: author