Sometimes things work and sometimes they don't. Sometimes what we hope for most is right within our reach, and then sometimes we feel like we are only grasping at straws no matter what we do.
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child, listen to the don'ts - listen to the shouldn't, the impossibles, the won'ts - listen to the never haves, then listen close to me - anything can happen, child
ANYTHING can be."
~Sheri Silverstein
Reaching for the brass ring takes perseverance and guts and sometimes there is no glory. But then there are those times that are extraordinary.
Such was the case with Lynn and her lab Luc! Suffice it to say that Luc is a lover. He is so much of a lover that kissing is his absolute favorite thing in the world. Lynn wanted desperately for Luc to become a Penny's From Heaven Foundation Therapy Dog. I first met them both in Dripping Springs right outside of Austin. Luc was a typical young lab, full of exuberance and energy and nothing but the sweetest heart ever and eyes that could melt Scrooge. The only problem was he wanted to lick everyone he met. Needless to say this is in no way appropriate for a rock solid therapy dog.
Luc went through multiple classes and training, private lessons, class lessons, field trips and more. He did everything right, except the licking. Soon "NO LICK" became his middle name! He passed his American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizenship certification. Licking wasn't on the test.
But then when it came to the Penny's From Heaven Therapy Dog test, he passed every step of the way, except for one thing, he continued to lick. Lynn was about ready to give up on her dream, but the ironic part of it is, nobody else gave up on this team. We put props under Lynn and told her to keep working. We saw enormous potential in this dog and knew something had to work. We consulted trainer after trainer...some offering hope and some grasping at straws.
Yesterday my team facilitator and I went to once again evaluate Luc. We met in the parking lot at Stay n Play Pet Ranch. An obvious hush fell over everyone as Lynn and Luc got out of the car. I walked up to them. Luc sat, did not jump nor try to lick. Two other testers did the same thing. Rock solid! NO LICKING!
Albert Einstein said, "Most people see what is, and never see what can be." Lynn and all of us saw what could be. We never once gave up on this dog! Somehow he must have know. "Luc the Licker" was no more! Luc the therapy dog had taken his place.
Dreams do come true. And prayers are answered. Luc has the extraordinary coded inside of him. Now it need only be released! He has miles to go and hearts to win. There was more inside of this lab, with the pleading eyes, than anyone dared to think. We saw potential, Lynn did the work and many, many people struggling to heal will reap the benefits. Luc was not placed here by accident. Luc was placed here to teach us all a lesson.
"Are you in earnest? Then seize this very minute. Whatever you can do , or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Only engage and then the mind grows heated; only begin and then the goal will be completed.
~Goethe
Just think, if Lynn had given up, there would have been so many wonderful things that might not take place without Luc.
What she did matters. Luc will matter. Together they will make a difference.
No trumpets sounded, no cake and ice cream. But an important decision was made and this dog, this one dog, placed here on this earth, will change moments and seconds and perhaps lives, simply by his gift of presence.
"Determine that the thing shall be done, and then we shall find the way."~Abraham Lincoln
That is enough. That is enough.
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