I thought that after three weeks, I’d be over it. But, I’m still heartbroken after losing my best friend, Layla. She was a mixed breed (mostly Border collie), that I adopted as a puppy from the pound. I named her after my favorite Eric Clapton song. For the last 10 years she had been my constant companion, confidant and best pal. Going out for a run was the highlight of her day. On the days when I was too lazy or the weather too cold, I’d go out anyway just to see her dance for joy when I reached for her leash. My dog was a trooper right up until she died from a tumor in her heart.

These days I miss her constant presence, but most of all I miss Layla’s innate Dog Wisdom. She reminded me every day to be more patient and not take life too seriously. She taught me other lessons, too.

• When a friend is having a bad day, the best thing you can do is to sit close by and give them a kiss.
• Never stop being curious.
• When you are happy, share your joy with others.
• When a friend ignores you don’t take it personally.
• Never give up. If you’ve lost something important keep looking until you find it.
• Always show your appreciation, even for the smallest kindnesses.
• Sometimes the best time to go out to play is when you have too much work to do.
• Don’t let a little rain stop you.
• When you are offered something new, always give it the smell test.
• Sometimes loud noises mean bad things are coming and sometimes the loud noise is just a loud noise.
• When you are scolded for something you didn’t do, let the person know that you are still their friend.
• Trust your instincts. If you think a stranger isn’t trustworthy, chances are you are right.
• Don’t always eat everything others try to feed you.
• Never pass up a chance to go for a ride in the car on a beautiful day.
• When someone you love comes home kiss them until they say to stop, then kiss them some more.
• No matter how good the other guy looks, be loyal to the one you’ve got.
• A little slobber never hurt anybody.

My friend Layla taught me another important lesson. Her passing reminded me of how impermanent life is and that the people (and dogs) we love won’t be here forever. While I may intellectually understand the fact of impermanence, I don’t want to believe it. I’m not the only one. As the ancient story goes, a king asked a wise man, “What is the greatest wonder in this world?” The wise man replied, “People see death all around them, but do not believe they’re going to die themselves. This is the greatest wonder.”

Enjoy every day. If you are fortunate enough to have a dog in your life, please give him or her an extra hug for me.

Monday Aha!s will resume on July 13th

I’ll be spending the next couple of weeks in the woods of northern Wisconsin at a meditation retreat.

I wonder what it will be like to have no phone, no email, no books, no Diet Pepsi, no MPR, no newspapers, and no contact with the outside world for days on end. I’ll let you know what the experience was like for me when I write the next Monday Aha! on July 13.