Catching The Rain
I agonized over this first post. What hook could I use to make this read not only worth your while on day one but also worthy of your return?
My high school English teach – Mr Frank Banton from the Bronx – often drilled home the captivating opportunity of a great novel’s opening line and this, like most of what he taught, stuck.
But here we are, decidedly not in a great novel. Definitely in an in-progress experiment (4 years and counting) between mental health protection and a lasting joy. Plainly spoken, I’m writing this for me…with the hope that our shared experiences will be a small but consistent source of encouragement and entertainment. Your presence serves me both honor and fear. I’m embracing them both; not equally but fully.
I’m personally taking a lesson from my weekend environment. The girls and I planned our adventure around the rain (read: to avoid it, if possible, but not to get too invested in our dryness). We left for a wooded trail walk with a nearby park to give us options. I felt like a planning genius even as we neared our destination, and a dark gray cloud started to form. The trail may prove too much of an investment, but the park still held promise.
Not three minutes after disembarking, a sudden downpour. Not a drizzle that built up energy. A full-on drenching that took less than a minute to take me to soaked-to-the-skin status and the girls to giant-wet-rat fur couture. No use in running for the car. No real use in doing anything but standing still…and laughing.
We did eventually realize that the deluge, though lighter after a few minutes, wasn’t planning to give up completely and we headed back to the car. As soon as we were arranged and shifting into Drive the rain abruptly stopped. My gear shift wasn’t advertised as having weather controlling powers, but I have some more testing to do on this topic. We were three soaked saps dripping across the seats with a beam of sun shining down. A seeming anomaly of physics if you caught sight of us at that exact moment.
We took our soaked selves back home and found that the cloud was ONLY over the park; everywhere else, for miles, was dry. But don’t worry as the rain started again right as we arrived home. Another downpour – somewhat laughable – and even Ruthie didn’t pay attention this time. We didn’t rush inside. We stopped planning and let the rain catch us, on purpose.
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Breed Notes: Rain
Ruthie (82% Great Pyrenees) is a Livestock Guardian Dog bred to live 24/7 with a herd of animals and protect them from dangers. Living outdoors often includes being in inclement weather. Ruthie didn’t get this message when it comes to rain. She doesn’t appreciate being rained on AT ALL. Give her snow or even hail. Rain is totally bogus and not to be trusted.
Liesl (50% Giant Schnauzer, 50% Standard Poodle) is 100% water loving. Weather it falls from the sky, runs in a creek, or ripples in a pond – she’s there and she’s splashing. Generally, both her breeds gravitate to water and can be strong and natural swimmers. She also enjoys a full water bowl and sharing her wet beard with your nice pants right after a refreshing drink. All water brings joy.
Real Life Reminder: Dogs, like people, vary in personalities and preferences regardless of their genetics.
Adventure prompt: Avoid it or Catch it!
When the weather forecast says rain is on the way, do you try to get out and back before the drops fall? Do you stay inside until clear skies appear?
Try finding and catching the rain. Yes, on purpose. But Ruthie asks that you please prepare any rain-hating adventure pals in advance. Not everyone – no matter their breed – appreciates a wet head.