Boot camp revisited

The one thing I learned from the short but sweet life of Hugo is that one needs to be alert at every waking moment. Hugo was simply the best dog we ever had. He was a lab mix with thick wavy black fur. He had two speeds: overdrive and park. He ran circles around the yard, canal path, dipping in and out of the pond while in overdrive, then respond to my call by coming at a gallop right up me, screeching to a halt and a perfect sit stay, waiting for the treat he could smell in my pocket. He was my constant companion, affectionate, funny - laugh aloud funny - sweet and smart. His only 'fault' was that when he was bored and we weren't watching, he'd slip off to visit neighboring dogs, seek out new smells, etc. That's what killed him. A pickup truck struck him as he ran full speed across the road in response to our calling him home. What I saw in Hugo during his too-short life was his constant waking state of being alert. Not simply open to life's possibilities as most dogs appear to me, but alert to what presents itself. The slight distinction being in the proactive nature of alertness. Openness is exposing oneself to whatever wants to enter and occupy your day, time, person. Alertness is an advanced stage in which you are ready, prepared to step into the opportunity that presents rather than let it pass through you. It is a more pro-active way of being. It requires faith and grace, which Hugo had in abundance.