Hiya Pinkies, and happy Mojo Monday. How cool is this? Mojo Mentor Grendel, the Pink mascot, wrote today’s Mojo Monday post for me so I could hang out in Big Sur this weekend without worrying about it. Please welcome her to the Owning Pink stage for her debut post. Three cheers for Grendel!
Ruff ruff, Pinkies. I’ve been lurking here at Lissa’s feet since Owning Pink first came into being as a newborn idea over five years ago. I’ve kissed her toes, licked her face- and yes, I’m embarrassed to say it- I’ve humped her Ugg boot more times than I care to admit. When she asked me to be a Mojo Mentor, I didn’t think I’d have much to say. My mind pretty much stays focused on doggie chow, taking naps on soft blankets in the sunshine, and following Lissa wherever she goes.
Beside Myself With Glee
But something came to me today, while I was chasing a bee, and I thought I’d share it with all you Pinkies. Whenever Lissa leaves the room, even if only for a few minutes, I get all bubbly and excited when I see her again. I jump up and down and paw at her pant leg. All I want is to be loved, and whenever she leaves, I wonder if she’s ever coming home again. She tells me she only went for a potty break, but I swear to you, it feels like she’s been gone for a lifetime. So when I see her again, I just can’t help it. I’m just so happy and filled with joy that I start bursting at the seams, and next thing I know it, I’m leaping and barking and dancing with glee.
The same thing goes for getting treats. Even if I’ve just stuffed myself with Siena’s pesto eggs (hey, when she leaves them where I can reach them, what do you expect?), it’s infinitely exciting when Lissa gives me a doggie biscuit. Each time, it’s like the best thing that’s ever happened in my life, like I’ve never had a doggie treat before. I would do back flips if I could- and trust me, I try, but I always wind up flat on my back with my feet in the air, which never ceases to get a giggle out of Lissa and Siena.
Owning Love Like Only I Can
And then there’s love. When Lissa invites me up on her bed to snuggle, all my cares (you know- like protecting my turf from that yappy little dachshund up the hill or trying to find the tennis ball Siena hid from me) slip away. She would tell you that she loves on me a lot and that she spoils me with cuddles, but each time is like the first. If I knew how to purr, I would.
I don’t really understand why you Pinkies get so jaded. Why can’t you appreciate the simple pleasures in life- a nap in the sunshine, the touch of someone you love, or a doggie biscuit? Why do you get so anxious and needy and stressed out, when I’ll bet everything you need is right there in front of you?
Mojo Monday: Be Like Me
So here’s my Mojo Monday exercise for you. Grab a tennis ball to chew on, wrap yourself in your favorite blanket, cuddle up with someone you love, and settle in for a spell.
- Grab your Joy Journal and make a list of all the little things that make up your day. Include even the smallest routines that bring you pleasure- the cup of herbal tea you make every morning or the walk you take among the trees or the soft, fuzzy hat you wear when your ears are cold. Be as specific as you can be.
- Say a prayer of gratitude for each of those tiny moments that make up your day. What is life if not a series of joyful moments?
- Approach each small experience of your life as if it’s the first time you’ve ever experienced it. You may have a better sense of the time/space continuum than I do, so it might take more effort to taste chocolate as if you’ve never ever tasted chocolate in your life. But just remember me, when I haven’t seen Lissa for three minutes. Think of me barking and leaping and scratching for just one pet, just one lick of her face. Bring that level of enthusiasm to every single thing that makes up your life, just for today. If you like it, try it again tomorrow.
It works for me, Pinkies. I don’t have any of the angst, doubts, regrets, or sadness you carry with you all the time. If Lissa accidentally steps on my toe, I don’t hold a grudge. I yelp, then I get over it and forget all about it. Instead of dwelling on the day when she forgot to feed me, I’m so happy to be fed today that I can’t contain myself.
It can work for you too.
Living each moment as if it’s my first,
Grendel
Tags: appreciation, chew toy, dog, doggie buscuit, first time, grendel, joyful moments, kisses, leg humping, mojo monday, naps, savor
dear Grendel
I’m a 4 yr old shitzu named Mollie and I’m writing to you from the sunny bedcover of Jennifer, who is busy at the computer. Meanwhile, her biggest teacher, me, is lying there absorbing the sunshine and licking myself occasionally. You are right on Grendhel, we small ones have much to teach the two legged owners who love us.
ps I also make room for the cats, the bed is big enough for all three of us
Dear Mollie,
You like sunshine too? Isn’t it the best? When I get too bushy and Lissa sends me to the evil groomer (yeeks! They scare the bejesus out of me!), where they shave off all my hai, I get kind of shivery. So sun is good. And warm blankets. And of course, snuggling up close to a warm body is even better (I’m sure cats and other doggies are nice too. Lissa is allergic to cats, and Ariel left us after 16 good years on this planet. But I sure would like a puppy to come hang out with us).
Glad you get it, girlfriend. We small ones DO have much to teach, don’t we? I think I’ll have to write another post some day…
xoxo
Grendel
Dear Grendel …
Wow, all those hours I’ve spent with you at Owning Pink headquarters napping on blankets, stealing your toys, and crowding Joy off her chair … I had no idea you were a writer. I’m inspired. And I agree with everything you and Mollie say.
I myself have two humans and a cat (who’s bigger than I am and gives me baths). My sole purpose in life is to cuddle up next to them (that is, when the rays of the sun aren’t shining just so onto the carpet or my fleece santa bed). Then there’s dinner time. Don’t even get me started. Oh! And next door’s cats. When I go out for walks they sometimes come with us and I get so excited I think my tail is going to fall off from wagging so fast. And then I forget to pee.
Anyway, yes, the humans. I don’t understand how they eat dinner so nonchalantly, or don’t curl up in patches of sunlight. I can’t imagine what else they concern themselves with. Though I can say that when I’m tucked between my two humans in bed at night, I can feel major warmth beaming from their hearts and surrounding me in a safe dreamy love bubble. They do seem to understand something, even when they don’t act that way.
Take it from the Mojo Pup, humans. It’s not a bad life. You don’t need much to live in bliss.
Reporting live from Joy’s lap,
Penny
Hi Grendel,
You are so right. We love to enjoy a good treat, walks are awesome & if mom gets the ball out…forgeddabout it we all 4 lose our minds in happy joyous exuberance making it hard to get all of us & mom or dad out the door. Getting fed is always good & if we even think we heard the treat jar be opened we all sit in front of mom wiggling & randomly holding our paws up to shake to get a treat:-)
Life is always good & we love to see our favorite people like grandma & our many aunts & uncles. They know we love them because we all jump around them & whine a lot to let them know…finger knibbles are an added bonus we hear. We don’t understand why mom & dad stress about stuff either & we’re always here for a cuddle or some love. Humans are kinda weird. They should pay more attention to being in that moment & enjoying things rather than worrying about things you can’t change…like not having thumbs!
Thanks for being so wise Grendel. Mom says that Ariel was really wonderful & we’re sorry that we didn’t get to meet her. Good luck on that whole new puppy thing. Mom says that rescue groups are full of animals right now because people are having trouble keeping their pets because of money problems. Not being able to have food & treats would be very bad we think!
play poses & hiney sniffs to you,
Dixie, Shelby, Bailey & Ralphie
Dear Penny, Dixie, Shelby, Bailey & Ralphie,
Ah shucks, poochies! I love you! (Ruff ruff!) Thanks for getting it. You Pink Pups rock! And yeah, humans are kinda weird, aren’t they? They don’t appreciate how good they’ve got it, and they walk around feeling unloved, unappreciated, and unPINK, when we’re right here as constant reminders of just how abundant life can be when you open your eyes to what’s right in front of you.
Oh, if you’re a cat or a hamster or a boa constrictor, feel free to jump on in. We’re a non-discriminating bunch of Pink pets here, so the more the merrier!
Tail wagging and hiney sniffs back atcha, dear ones,
Grendel
Hey dogs.
I have to admit I was a little hesitant to be the first feline to throw my jingle ball into the ring, but I do have a few things to say and goodness knows I can’t let you slobbering, wiggly, leg-humping mongrels with no dignity speak for all us four leggers.
However, much as I hate to say it, you pooches are right. I too am baffled by the tall ones. For instance, as soon as my mom opens the sliding glass doors out onto the patio in the morning, unless it’s pouring rain outside, I’m out there, man. I’m talking all DAY. And why wouldn’t I? The air is clean, there are a million fascinating things to watch, there are bugs to chase and birds to threaten, there are cushy places to nap, the gentle breeze and the tinkling wind chimes. Why the heck isn’t everyone out there with me? I dig my privacy so I don’t mind flying solo, but given the choice, why would anyone do anything else? Why do they keep coming and going? What’s so great about the couch and those foldy metal things they keep staring at?
And though I wouldn’t deign to sleep beneath the covers with my humans like my precocious sister Penny, my second favorite thing on the planet is to parade back and forth in front of mom in the morning as she pets me with one hand and brushes her teeth with the other. If I’m lucky she’ll even dangle an old belt in front of me to jump and chase after. And sometimes when I’m asleep she’ll come give me a scratch and a kiss. I pretend not to notice, but I think my purr gives me away.
And I’ll admit it – the treats are heaven for us kitties too. We may not make as big a fuss over them as you mutts who wear your hearts on your paws, but really, aside from sun-naps and chin scratches, a chewy salmon-flavored nibble is all I need to keep me going.
Last night, I was curled up with Penny, just waking up from my 36th nap of the day, when I heard mom say to dad, “they’re pure love, aren’t they?” I don’t know what it meant but for some reason it made me warm.
Anyway, I … Ooh! A hummingbird. Bye now.
Rawr,
Percy
Oh, Percy! Welcome, kittie sister! Happy hummingbird hunting!
Oh- and I love you, babe. Even if you did just call me a slobbering, wiggly, leg-humping mongrel (well, alright. So maybe it’s true. I’ll own it…)
Ruff ruff love,
Grendel
Hello fellow dogs, cats and Pinkies! My Mom is Kim Wencl and she writes alot at her computer all of the time. I like to lay on her bed in the sunshine and take naps. Sometimes she takes me with her when she runs errands. If we go to the bank, I get a treat, but I won’t eat it unless she breaks it in half for me.
I just turned 11 so I like to sleep alot and I love having my ears rubbed. I’m a Cairn Terrier – I look just like Toto in the Wizard of Oz – and I am the king of my castle … I don’t want other dogs or kitties at my house — even rabbits aren’t safe when I’m around. Squirrels always tease me though because they know I can never catch them – they are just too fast.
My Mom sure does like this Pinkie stuff – if she’s happy then I’m happy too. Well, I feel a nap coming on. I’ll talk to you later.
Murphy Roger Wencl
Hey Murph, buddy,
Glad to see you! And we sure do love your Mommy. She’s part of the Pinkie heart that beats here where my Mom works. Give her a snuggle for me, will you?
I can tell you’ve got mojo, Murphy Roger Wencl. Enjoy that nap!
Pinkie love,
Grendel