My Dog Has Prepared Me for Rosh Hashanah

It’s Elul. G-d (the King) is in the field.

…and my dog is howling as my husband blows the shofar.  He says it’s because her yetzer harah (evil inclination, aka, EGO) is so strong. I’m not so sure. I think maybe it’s because her little doggie soul is so pure. Much to my husband’s dismay, I am her alpha dog. She has chosen me.

I feed her.

I can’t help but rub my hand along her head and back. She gives a comforting rumble as I do so. She’s a constant reminder of devotion, loyalty and love.  And, during this time of year, when we are approaching our holiest days, re-establishing our relationship with our Creator, our Source, I marvel at the parallel relationship I have with my dog. Through watching my dog, Cloe, I have thought about my own nature, self (Ego) and soul. Perhaps that is why we have these amazing animals in our lives. I don’t think it’s a mistake that dog and god share the same letters. I’m no kabbalist but I think there’s a connection. Though G-d is the ultimate spiritual entity, my dog reminds me daily of the relationship that we should strive for.  

Always Have a GPS on Your SOURCE

My dog keeps constant vigil over me. She has to know where I am 24/7. If I go upstairs, she follows me. If I go outside, she follows me. If I go the bathroom, she follows me. She wants to know where I am at any given moment.  We have the same need, or should have. G-d wants us to know He’s with us: 24/7. So, we should be aware, concerned and connected. Always.

Talk To Your Source Often

My dog comes to greet me at any moment, just to say, “Hi.” She puts her paw on my lap and licks my face. It’s like, “Hey, how are you? It’s been 5 minutes and I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Do you wanna eat again? Go for a sniff? Just hang out together?“ If I go to the mailbox, she is just as excited to see me as if I’ve been gone all day. G-d wants us to say hello. You can call it prayer, but it’s a connection. Do it frequently and regularly throughout the day.

Become a Better Host

My dog alerts the entire house to each visitor. There’s no apathetic greeting. It’s like a party every time the doorbell rings. Go to your door when people come visiting: a guest, relative, friend, or UPS man.  Announce to your family, “We have a visitor!” Go greet them with enthusiasm.

Wag Your Tail….Smile….At Everyone

My dog wags her tail at everyone. She cares not what they look like, smell like, religious orientation or political views. Male, female, transgender, gay, straight, tall, fat, young, old. She’s happy to see everyone and tries her hardest to get a smile and hello back from anyone and everyone. It’s quite contagious. I marvel at how people will say hello to me when I’m walking Cloe, but not when I’m walking alone. Smile and say hello, to the grocery bagger, checkout lady, neighbor and stranger.

Appreciate the World Outside

If your in a car, hold your head out the window and sniff the fresh air. Let your ears flap in the breeze. It’s a great big world out there breaming with nature. House windows are for viewing, contemplating, thinking and observing. My dog can sit for hours just starring out the window looking for “yard guests.” And, when you see something interesting, go find it and check it out. Go for a walk. Do it daily or two to three times a day. Say hello to people, sniff bushes, notice new things and old things. Chase a leaf. Be in the moment. Leave your head behind and just enjoy the world.

Enjoy Your Food

Don’t just eat. EAT! Enjoy every bite. Wait with excitement for your food. Stay focused on your SOURCE. Don’t ever take for granted the SOURCE of your food. Don’t waste a morsel. Clean the plate. Then wag your tail with appreciation. Be grateful.

Take a Nap

Frequently and often. You need not worry while you’re napping.  And if you get cold or scared in the middle of the night, just snuggle up against the one you love. G-d is always there, even when it gets dark.

Be Loyal to Your SOURCE

I know my dog loves me. It’s a relationship of a provider and receiver. I’m her provider, her source. This makes her loyalty even more profound. I have trained her (though that’s up for debate in our house) and the more trained a dog is, the closer the relationship. Though my dog’s loyalty is unconditional, I cannot imagine that she can define her love in the way that I love her. I don’t think we can come close to comprehending how much G-d loves us. His love is so enormous. Our love translates as loyalty. Be loyal. Follow the command. Love G-d with all of yourself:

your heart, your soul and your might.

Happy New Year, Shanah Tova. May you crown the KING, remember your soul, and howl at the cry of the shofar.