Leadership Growing Pangs

"The leadership instinct you are born with is the backbone. You develop the funny bone and the wishbone that go with it."
Elaine Agather

I have great instincts. I can sit by the sidelines, analyze a problem within seconds and then come up with a step-by-step solution to just about anything. In fact, unlike many, I actually enjoy the logical process of coming up with a solution after the intellectual wrestling match. My problem has always been the fact that I second guess my motives. In each moment of problem-solving, I self-analyze and want to know why I have the need to solve this problem. I paralyze myself with soul-searching: 'Do I need to be wanted?' 'Am I being selfish?' 'Shouldn't I let them just figure it out for themselves?' 'Why do I have to control outcomes?' 'What's the most important lesson here?' 'Is this the right answer for this group of people?' Analysis/paralysis is not a very useful tool for leadership.

I have been doing that a lot lately with Quincey. Since I am fairly new to the 'metaphysics of puppiness,'or 'The Tao of Pup,' I find myself becoming more and more uncomfortable with the unknown. Here's the thing...my little pup has no fear of the unknown, in fact, since he lives in the moment, the unknown is not a reality for him. I see the dilemma as clear as the nose on my face. I have no fear of plunging into the abyss of the unknown when it is my own life I am responsible for. I am a total, unabashed coward when it comes to watching my puppy experience the same thing.

He's been dealing with some traditional maladies that supposedly are common to a puppy. I was told by the Vet, the best possible treatment for these things is no treatment and to curb his socializing activities because he is highly contagious to other puppies under the age of one. I was told that he needs to develop the anti-bodies on his own to deal with these issues or they will become chronic in adulthood. "One day they are here; the next day they are gone." was the exact quote.

That sounds a lot like measles, mumps, chicken pocks, the croup and a host of other 'common maladies' we all had to deal with as children....well at least my generation did. But that did not make them any less dangerous or important benchmarks to growth. I have an amazing immune system for my age because I went through some of those childhood diseases and I am grateful for the watchful and soothing nature of my mother during those times.


What does this teach me about leadership?

Sometimes, even when you love something, in order to maintain strength of vision and mission; detachment, faith and tranquility are necessary when there is trouble. It is impossible to make the proper judgment without it. Patience and persistence are just as important as tasks and activity. I could research the immune systems of puppies, I could get the latest, most expensive 'immune booster' for puppies, I could create my own, homeopathic poultice but ultimately he has got to work these issues out, just like I did-and he will be stronger for the successful completion of his task.

I have to have the wisdom to wait, to know when not to act and in inaction, having the faith in the process, that he knows what is best and will do the right thing. That is the lesson that this moment in his life is teaching me.

Making Doggie Biscuits

I can't believe this, but I actually created a recipe for peanut butter doggie biscuits. Quincey loves them. The ingredients are all natural and they contain no preservatives, additives or sugars. They taste rather bland to me, but Quincey can't get enough of them. I wonder if I should try them out on other dogs? I used a bunny cookie cutter and I think I am going to call them "Peanut Butter Bunny Bark!" I think it has a ring to it. Here's the recipe.



Peanut Butter Bunny Bark!

1C Whole W. (WW) flour
2 T white flour
1/3 c cornmeal
1 T veg oil or margarine
1 egg
1/4 c 2% milk
2 T low fat salted peanut butter or 1/4 c ground roasted peanuts

Preheat oven 350
Mix dry ingredients
add wet ingredients
roll out 1/4 inch thick
cut and bake
30 mins~golden brown
cool very well before serving

Slings and Arrows

We suffered our first bully attack today at the dog park. My husband took Quincey out to the park. We can't get Quincey to play with the smaller dogs or rather the smaller dogs just won't play with him. He prefers the company of the big dogs. He usually holds his own pretty well and manages to have a lot of fun in the process. There are actually quite a few of the big dogs that like to play with ol' Q because he just doesn't quit and he's got variation and skillz! I am usually standing right over the proceedings and never let him out of arms reach or my sight. This gives me a workout as you can imagine but it is worth it.

As my husband explains it, all the dogs took a water break at the same time (rare but not unusual) and when Quincey went to get a drink; a blond lab was drinking as well. The lab nipped Quincey on the muzzle but Quincey was fast. He's got a scratch there and has experienced a lesson I hope he won't ever forget. The wound is not as deep as my husband's wounded pride but I can't do much about that. He is going to have to do a better job keeping up with the puppy and these things can and do happen. It occurs to me that it is much like the first scrape on the knee that draws blood for a kid, the first black eye, the first set of stitches. Quincey got off with just a nick. That's how smart and quick he is. I just adore that phenomenal pup!

The Little Pup That Can

Okay, Quincey is now officially eight months old. Today I saw my little puppy outrun a great Dane that was at least five times his height, length and weight. He out maneuvered him as well. He ran so fast I could not believe it. He can also leap. I am just a few inches over five feet tall and this little puppy, standing twelve inches high on all fours, can jump up past my shoulders.



He's quite the charmer too. I read that the Basenji will charm it's owner into play. He does this all the time. He pretends he's sleepy, sidles up next to me, licks my cheek and then grabs my scrunchi with his mouth, pulls it from my hair and runs away with it, expecting that I will chase after him. Of course, I have to if I want it back!

"Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things." Musashi Miyamoto from The Book of the Five Rings

My pal, Quincey, is a rescue pup, about to turn eight months old. I got him when he was twelve weeks and he weighed eight pounds, five ounces. His ribs were showing and one eye socket was bigger than the other. The first time I saw him, he was in a cold kennel with three other puppies around the same age. He was the smallest and was in a corner, napping in the middle of a bleak and rainy day in late January. The other puppies were playing and running around the kennel, barking and biting each other but Quincey was just chilling in a corner, curled up tight, his big ears pinned back as if he was trying not to listen to the noise. I stood, fascinated by the fact that he was so independent for such a little one. My gut told me, after four months of waiting and searching, that he was it. But I didn't want to make a rash decision so I left, hoping to see him the next day. I got half way home and was afraid that I would never see him again. Then, a little voice told me to have faith. I listened.

I went back the next day, same time.

The City Animal Shelter on Front Street in Sacramento places informational cards in plastic pouches attached to the kennels. These cards tell prospective owners the information they would need to know before making a decision to purchase a rescue dog or puppy. When I got there, Quincey's card was missing from the pouch. I turned and left in tears. I went back the next day, saying if it was meant to be, it was meant to be. When I got there, he was playing with an all-black pit bull female pup about the same age and twice as large.
I was so happy, I grabbed the card and walked to the front desk and told them I wanted to meet this little puppy, the rest, as they say is history.

There are many reasons for wanting the companionship of a canine. The title "man's best friend," is attached to them for a reason. One of the most valuable lessons dogs can teach us actually comes from their ancestors, the wolves. Dogs teach us how to become clear and direct leaders. You can't beat around the bush when you tell a dog to do something and you can't treat them poorly and expect love and devotion. You must balance firmness with a light touch and be direct and consistent so they know what to expect and what is expected from them. Training is very important and consistency is an absolute. Nothing makes for a more nervous dog then inconsistent behavior patterns in humans.

I am ready for some lessons. I think Quincey is too.