March 2007

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie                                                       March 2007

Some people are complete dog lovers. They’re easy to spot because every item of clothing they own, no matter how clean, is always covered in dog hair. I speak from experience. I can pick up clothes from the dry cleaners, pack them for a speaking engagement in California, and dog hair will inevitably appear on a suit just prior to taking the stage.

Any dog hair on my clothes would belong to one of our two great dogs --- Black and Bleu. They each weigh about 75 pounds, and have great personalities. Although the FedEx guy is convinced they’d eat him if he got close to the front door, they’re actually very friendly. They may be brave in front of a delivery person, but they’re scared to death of one particular thing --- rain storms. Since we live in the Texas Hill Country and don’t get much rain, they don’t get scared very often. That all changed this past week.

We got rain. A lot of rain. Not just rain. Thunder. Lightning. Big storms. And it all came just as my wife and I got into bed. As we got settled, we looked over and saw four eyes staring at us as if to say, “Move over. We’re coming up!” They don’t get in the bed very often, because it seems their mission is to utilize a dog technique called the “roll and stretch” which will allow them to take over the center position on the bed. As a result of nearly a decade of fighting for my fair share of the bed, I’ve developed what seems to be a spinal deformity, and walk like a grocery cart that constantly pulls to the right.

I had an early morning meeting, and really needed to get some sleep. Although my experience led me to believe this would not be a good night’s sleep, I gave in. They were scared to death. Bleu curled up in a small little ball at the foot of the bed, and Black wiggled her way between me and my wife. Just as I started to doze off, I heard a noise. No, not that noise! Bleu started to snore at a volume you would not have thought possible from a dog. After a quick nudge, she quieted down and we soon were all asleep.

I awakened at 3:00 in the morning. I knew it was 3:00 because as I opened my eyes I saw the alarm clock about six inches from my face, and noticed I was clinging to four inches of the bed. The “roll and stretch” had worked again. As I closed my eyes and began to drift off to sleep, I realized what had awakened me. There was a distinct odor in the air. My eyes were watering. Each of these dogs has the ability to produce an odor that could peel the paint off the wall. I thought someone had thrown a can of tear gas through our bedroom window. That was all it took to regain human control over the bed. Down they went!

The next morning, I sat outside with a cup of coffee trying to wake up from a rather restless night. Instead of complaining about not getting enough sleep, I thought about the lessons I’d learn, including:

:

Be compassionate

It would have been easy to focus on the fact I had an early morning meeting and told them to get in their own beds. I can remember as a child running into my mother’s room in need of safety after a bad dream. Looking back, I’m sure she had to work the next day, but she never sent me away. She was compassionate, and I encourage you to do the same. Whether it’s a child, a pet, or a friend, be compassionate.

Adjust your plans

Since we don’t get much rain where I live, I was looking forward to getting comfortable and listening to the rain coming down outside. I was confident that would lead to a good night’s sleep. It didn’t work out that way. Since we have two dogs that don’t realize it’s not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, I spent more time trying to figure out how to get comfortable than listening to the soothing rain. Sometimes you just have to adjust your plans.

Protect your pack

I often wonder why we tolerate so many adjustments to our lives because of these critters. Other than the fact Purina Fit & Trim and a big bowl of water is considerably cheaper than baby formula and diapers, I have come up with at least two reasons. One, they are like children to us, and like any good parent, you make sacrifices. And two, in their eyes we’re a pack, and a pack gathers together at night for contentment and safety. Whether you have children, dogs, family or friends in your pack, protect them. And by all means, provide the contentment and safety that makes them glad they’re in your pack.

Some people don’t understand why “dog people” give up so much to satisfy their four-legged friends. Until you’ve experienced the true friendship of a loyal companion, you won’t understand how that friendship makes it all worth a few stray hairs and a curved spine. As I’m writing this article, I am sitting at my desk and have one dog on each side of my chair sound asleep. I wouldn’t have it any other way. But hey, what’s that smell?!?

Here’s to the next lesson. God bless!

Enthusiastically, 

Clint Swindall - President & CEO

*Book Review

What Dogs Teach Us ... Life's Lessons Learned from our Best Friends, by Glenn Dromgoole

Here's what I've been reading lately ...

On a trip to Laguna Beach, my wife and I picked up this little book in a gift shop. I found it to be an inspiring little book back then, and returned to it after writing the main article for this newsletter. I found it as inspirational the second time around.

This book, entitled What Dogs Teach Us --- Life’s Lessons Learned from Our Best Friends, is a collection of simple life principles with well-done photography of friendly canine. If you’re a dog fan, you know how most dogs simply “get it” when it comes to simple pleasures. Most people say they want to lead a simple life, but somehow make life so much more difficult than it has to be that a simple life eludes them. If you’re one of those people who truly want a simple life, you’ll enjoy this guide to life’s lessons. No deep thinking --- just a simple book with a simple message.

For the cat lovers of the world, author Glenn Dromgoole has a book just for you! Same theory, just written for the feline crowd! His book for cat lovers can be found at Amazon.com, as well.

*Newsletter Archives

Have you missed a month?

We received an email from a loyal reader last month that included the following statement: “Clint, we loved your message this month. We truly enjoy reading your newsletter, and wish you would do one every month!”

Well, guess what! We do send out Everyday Leadership every month! From time to time a server will not allow the newsletter through, which will keep you from getting it. If you think you may have missed a month and want to get caught up, you can find all the copies on the Verbalocity website.

* Raise a Glass

A reason to celebrate

This month we celebrate the brave men and women who have ever defended our country at war. Today marks the fourth anniversary of the U.S-led invasion of Iraq, which will undoubtedly stir the political bucket for many Americans. I'm guessing that every news station will be airing presidential candidates discussing the decision to go to war, and how they will address the issue in the future. In the middle of those discussions, I encourage you to rise above the fray and celebrate the brave men and women who have ever worn a military uniform. Not just the Iraq War. Every war. Their efforts have made it possible for us to enjoy our freedoms. If you are one of those heroes, we raise a glass to you!

*Quotes

Inspirational thoughts

“If your dog doesn't like someone, you probably shouldn't either."
- Unknown

"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog."
- Edward Hoadland

"When you feel dog tired at night, it may be because you've growled all day long."
- Unknown

*Question to Ponder

Some time to think

Spring is upon us. If you live in the northeast portion of the United States, you may find it hard to believe if you walk outside! According to the Weather Channel, spring arrives this evening, March 20th (although some people argue that it arrives tomorrow, based on what day the vernal equinox occurs). None of that really matters if you’re still bundled up in your weather wardrobe.

Whether spring has arrived in your neighborhood or is on the horizon, signs of spring will begin to show. Trees will begin to bud and animals will start coming out of their winter hideouts. Ultimately, it’s a time of transition, and an opportunity for new beginnings. While we always have an opportunity for new beginnings, spring is a natural time to start anew. Next month we’ll all have the chance to observe new life with the celebration of Easter. In the meantime, will we use the beginning of a new season as a reason to transition to a better way of living, or will we keep moving along and miss the opportunity?

That is my question for you to ponder over the next month. At the end of each day, I want you to ask yourself that one simple question ... what one simple enhancement can I make in my everyday life during this spring season that will help me enjoy the rest of the year?