an essay for you today...
Well, Look at You
At the grocery, I was in line at the "robotish self-checkout" and at first, no stations were available. So, I waited in that space that was technically part of the grocery aisle. You know the feeling -- when you stand there, random shoppers try to come through, and usually one or two appear with the "kid car-cart," and they barrel on in, and you're totally in the way. Every time.
Yes, in the way, I scanned the stations. Still nothing open.
But when I looked at the station directly to the right, I saw a short-haired, thin woman slowly checking out, filling up her bags, pressing the buttons on the screen, heading for the credit card machine. Her movements were slow, jerky, slow. And by her side, stretched out on the floor, looking regal, there was a tan, medium-sized, pointy-eared, beautiful service dog. He wore a crimson coat with a tag that read, "Ask to pet me. I'm friendly."
To the dog, I said, "Well, look at you. You're so beautiful."
Then the dog turned his head, staring back at me through incredibly soulful, black eyes, and he rose up. Ever so gently, he began to approach me.
So, I asked the woman, "Can I pet him while he's working?"
She smiled wide and said, "Yes, you can."
The dog came closer, and he rubbed his nose on my leg. Then he looked at me again as if to say, "Go ahead, touch me. But only you."
And I did. I told him I loved him. I could've stayed there all day.
Now, while all of this spiritual dog energy was going on, several checkout stations had become open, and the line was quickly growing behind me, but I didn't care. I was having a moment -- a silent connection with this dog -- and it meant the world to me.
But just then, the woman behind me angrily asked, "Are you going to check out?"
With that, I jumped, rolled my cart forward, and the dog seemed to smile, heading back to his owner's side. I looked back at the line, whispered, "Sorry," and moved to an open station. Indeed, I knew I was caught up. See, the past two days had been rough and for that minute, when I was connecting with the dog, I forgot about my restless mind. I forgot that I was at the grocery. Indeed, I lost all sense of time and place. All that mattered was the innocent creature in front of me...and the love coming from his eyes. He was so incredibly gentle and kind with me.
And I thought, Hey, world, wake up, that is God.
All the way home, I felt the connection stay with me. See, ever since I was little, I had often connected more with animals than with humans. And some particular animals have struck me more than others, just as some people have hit my heart harder than others.
All creatures possess awesome personalities, trials, triumphs, and quirks. And all are so unique. And yet each and every being understands the language of love. Truly, the Spirit of the Universe speaks to me through the eyes of so many creatures.
Well, look at you. You're so beautiful.
C.A. MacConnell
