DOG GONE

Shadow ran away.

We only had the two-year-old Lab/Pit Bull mix for four months but in that short time she showed us every vulnerable section of our fence. She's a runner, and when her legs get going, her ears close up, so calling her back when she gets a head of steam is a waste of precious breath.

My wife Jean was hiking in the mountains a couple miles from the house. Considering her bent for bolting, she is kept on a leash (Shadow not Jean). Jean put the leash under her foot to fix her (Jean's not Shadow's) headgear. Leash under Jean's foot -- no match for Shadow, she (Shadow not Jean) was gone.

Emotions are funny at a time like that. Before Shadow ran away, I was feeling OK. When she was gone, I was feeling less than OK. She found her way home 24 hours later and I felt better than OK. It felt real good just to have her back! Why didn't I feel that good when she was here before she ran away?

If on Monday afternoon what you value most on this earth was taken from you and returned on Wednesday, how would you feel on Wednesday? Why didn't you feel that good Monday morning? You had what you most valued then.

Why is it so ingrained in human nature that we need to lose something in order to appreciate it? You have a life full of precious people, exciting events and priceless possessions. While we have them, recognize them, count them and value them -- right now, before they're gone, because they will go.

Lesson: Tomorrow's a crap shoot; live today.