Focus

FOCUS. (Does fishing teach you patience or do you have to be patient in order to fish?)

With all the distractions of social media, internet playgrounds, and overcommitment, it’s difficult sometimes to stay focused on what’s important and what you set out to do.

Even as a youngster, I was easily distracted.  As mom was preparing school lunches – one of several bedtime rituals – she would many times say to me “run downstairs to the freezer, dear, and bring up a loaf of bread”.  “Sure mom” and I’d disappear downstairs.  10 or 15  minutes later, I’d surface empty handed.  Not because I couldn’t find the bread, but because I forgot!  I would pass by my brother adding final touches on his balsa airplane model, or get caught up in the Star Trek episode on tv, or offer unsolicited suggestions for the crossword puzzle my father was working on, or remember when I saw them that I hadn’t hung up my hat and mittens when I came in from school through the back door.

I worked hard as a student and throughout my career to stay on track and to manage distractions but it didn’t come easily.

Now Cabo – he has an incredible ability to focus.  He’s happy laying stealth for an hour on his own on the front porch watching people pass by with their strollers, skateboards, bicycles, and dogs (without barking!).  He’s perfected the skunk and raccoon patrol in the back yard – laying in wait at night without distraction for an unsuspecting intruder.  He’s a master at outwaiting and outlasting grandpa throughout our visits by sitting tall and still, focused on his pocketful of treats ’til one appears.  And he’s relentless when it comes to retrieving popcorn that (deliberately yet secretly) falls from our hands to the floor until the bowl is empty. So focused!  A trait to be admired.

But, not always! The worst is Cabo’s keen eye for fallen paper – tissues, paper towels, napkins – and his focus on retrieving and eating them when we’re out for a walk.  A snap of the Martingale collar is never in time, a foot plant on top of the paper is never soon enough, and forget about forgetting to put the paper wastebasket up out of reach when we visit other people’s homes!  He’s too focused and too fast! And will not give it up.  This is something that’s been troubling us for a long time.  He’ll gladly give up his bone, his favourite toy, even a special treat – anything he’s allowed to have.  But if it’s contraband – something he knows he’s not supposed to have – we have to dig deep for our best dog handler skills OR our best negotiating skills.  His incredible focus for not letting go is silently commendable.  Oh, and then there was the time my husband came home and Cabo enthusiastically greeted him with coloured paper in his mouth.  That coloured paper was strewn on the hallway floor as he happily presented Ed with a sample.   How Ed kept his composure is beyond me.  It was a bundle of cash that Ed had set aside in his fishing bag to pay for his new fishing gear he was eyeing at Bass Pro Shops.

We’re still looking for a remedy for this unconquered appetite for paper.  Will he outgrow it?  Does he need specialized training?  Do I need specialized training?  Do I need to suit up in mesh-metal gloves to overcome his guard-dog snarl and the snap that would follow?  Who knew this beautiful, gentle, fun-loving, intelligent, and well-mannered puppy could be so focused on not surrendering?  I’ve seen Cesar Millan in action in this scenario but for me it’s like watching a parachute jumper:  no way in h#>% am I going to succeed in overpowering this puppy without hours of training, a guide, and certification!  That’s going to take a lot of focus on my part to win this one.  My friends Victor and Yani have both tried to teach me but the courage and force field for me just isn’t there yet!

This is more than just a dog’s life.  It’s one that demands incredible focus and determination. And one that can inspire many of us to persevere.

Picture this:  Click on Focus: Inspired by a dog!