(#44) Same But Different

Have you ever noticed how two beings can stand in the same spot but their sensations are not the same?

Take my morning walk to the beach. I love the feel of the sand under my paws and on my belly. I’ll pull Steve close to the water, turn my nose up and sniff, sniff, sniff all the smells. I explore what lies on top of the sand and at times dig down to see what is out of sight.

Steve, on the other paw, does not get into the same things. Oh, he likes to take off his shoes and walk with his bare paws in the sand with me but I’ve never seen him sniff the ground or water. His loss. But he lets me appreciate what speaks to me.

Where I am using my paws and snout, Steve uses his eyes. He pulls out a little box-like contraption from his pocket and points it toward the water, sky, clouds, and sun. I hear a lot of “clicks.” He’ll say something like, “That’s a nice photo.” He talks about all the colors in the sky. I’m looking up and down the beach. We are in the same place and focusing on different things. He smiles and scratches my ear and tosses a biscuit. Yum! Every so often when we are walking and I am in full NTG (Nose To Ground) mode, he’ll stop. “Rox, wait a minute. That is too beautiful to pass up.” Click!

I wish I could sense all those colors that bring a smile to his face. But dogs don’t see the same color spectrum as humans. (If you need more information, click on this article.) Now, us canines have the ability to pick up on motion that a human might miss.  But the scientists tell us they see colors we don’t.

So, I appreciate the touch and smells. Humans gaze and ponder the colors and textures. We let each embrace what matters.

Differing perceptions about the same event. And we respect each other’s perspective.

Nice.

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Happy New Year! Thanks for coming back to my blog. You make me happy.

My book, Roxie Looks for Purpose Beyond the Biscuit, is still available.  I share stories and lessons about friends, family, and fun. And I speak about purpose as well.  (Steve says for dogs we might just want to call it “furpose.” He makes words up, I think.) Perhaps the book holds a biscuit or two for you!

WOOF!

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