No Golden Dogs

/ J. F. Riordan

Ah, Monday. Blessed-nothing-planned-no-appointments-on-the-calendar Monday.

We traveled for the holiday, and while it is always good to see family, it is also good to be at home in your own bed, and then waking to watch the sun rise, with the silhouettes of deer and turkeys in the woods, and the sweet soft breathing of big dogs nearby.

When I had a day job my Sundays were filled with dread. On Monday mornings I would stand at the big windows of my bedroom looking out at the beauties of the woods and sky, feeling bereft at having to leave for the demands of the classroom or office.

Now my schedule is mostly my own. And because I have always hated that Sunday feeling, I try to never schedule anything on a Monday. I write in the mornings, and reserve afternoons for appointments, errands, exercise, and domestic tasks. Lately, however, in what seems to be some kind of mechanical conspiracy, we have been on a breaking-down appliance spree, so my autonomy has been interrupted by lengthy bouts of dishwashing and repairmen who schedule their appearances in five hour appointment windows. Today, I have nothing planned except writing, walking the dogs, and making beef stew. There will also be a long, fragrant bath. A perfect day. I hope.

But we never know, do we? Our expectations of perfection are mostly disappointed, and since disappointment is a form of ingratitude, it would be graceless not to appreciate the imperfect blessings of our real lives, no?

And this brings me to My Dog Pete, the children’s book I finally got around to publishing this year after more than a decade of leaving it to languish in a file in my office.

My husband, who is a man of deep insights, recently pointed out to me that the book contains the philosophy of a happy life. I heard this with some surprise, because I was only telling a story, not trying to convey a moral. In the book, a little girl wants a perfect, golden dog who will be handsome and admired. Instead, she gets a mixed-breed, mischievous shelter dog who was probably abused, leaps as gracefully as a gazelle, and smells a little funny. She doesn’t want him. But–spoiler alert–against all her heartfelt preferences, she falls in love with him.

So often in life, when things don’t live up to our expectations, we are frustrated and disappointed. And yet, most of the time, what we get–even though it isn’t perfect–is still something good, and we are lucky to have it.

We must notice the good things we are so blessed to have. Ingratitude is a sin, and in most theologies perfectionism is, too, because it is a focus on self-will and the ego. And also because for most of the world, sadness and misery is a normal day. So now, when one of us doesn’t get exactly what we hoped for or expected, we say to one another: “I wanted a golden dog.” And we remember to relax into the reality of imperfection that is still filled with many beautiful things; many blessings.

After all, in real life we didn’t expect it, but we got Pete. And we wouldn’t have changed him for any other dog in the world.

Hoping you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

Pete, in one of his (many) stubborn moments.
My Dog Pete is available exclusively at Amazon.

45 thoughts on “No Golden Dogs”

  1. Thank you so much for this reminder to be grateful for all of the surprises – welcome and unwelcome – and happy accidents that make up this wonderful life.

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  3. I just wanted to tell you I enjoyed your thoughts about Sunday dread and Monday work grind away from home. Then I’ve now been retired from the office and endless meetings for many years and have survived the appliance breakdowns, repairs, renovations, etc and it’s now been so long it’s again time to see to replacements of air conditioners & heaters & ductwork! It never ends but yes I’m ever grateful for the time with dogs and even rescued cats, and another season. I hope all your holidays are filled with the memories of Pete and Auggie’s yet ahead. Ingrid

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  7. What a wonderful way to celebrate Monday, remembering dear Pete. He meant so much to all of us and it’s a joy to see his sweet face and remember his adventures. I hope you enjoy your ‘day off’ with your beautiful boys.

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  8. That was beautiful J.F. I needed to read that because I’m having just a tad of a rough time right now. At this moment, I’m feeling grateful for all that I have and praying for those who are not as lucky as I am. So thank you for your thoughts on this Thanksgiving weekend. Pet the boys for me and enjoy this holiday season. Missing you on Twitter (I refuse to call it X. It’s a stupid name anyway). Nancy 🙂

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  9. Thank you so much for this. I grew up thinking everything had to be perfect but learned that imperfection is perfection.

    And thank you for the picture of Pete. He was not my dog but I always loved seeing him with his brothers.

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  10. How I loved Pete, even though I never met him in person. I suppose many people on Twitter (X), were in the same boat. I did get the book and loved it too. I can’t say it’s not a golden dog as I had two, one lived 10 yrs, the other 15 yrs. I loved them like you loved Pete. So I’ll have to substitute another color. Thanks for your thoughts. Marilyn Dye

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  11. I love your writings. Reading about Pete always makes me smile. You know how to speak the way my heart feels. Thank you for sharing and thank you for you❤️

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  12. My husband says, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good”. All of my found strays turned quite quickly into ‘golden dogs’. I’ve had golden cats, too.

    Your postings calm me. Thank you.

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  18. I bought Pete’s book for our great nephew but read it first. Charlie is really right. (Don’t tell I said that!). Peace and love to both of you and the boys.

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  19. I miss you much on Twitter but lovely to read your message today and like always very uplifting. Was thinking yesterday how much I miss your Turkey pictures and the boys.

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  20. Thank you for this important reminder!! I just translated it for my dad (who says hello) and he said those are important words to live by (he said this in Spanish- “Queria un perro de color de oro.”) This will now be a saying used in our family! It was lovely seeing Pete; he looks particularly stubborn in that picture lol. I sure miss seeing him in his winter coats. In my mind, he’s frolicking in the beautiful pastures of heaven with his brother Moses and they both have me with my little dog Hank. ❤️

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  24. Today was a little stressful, had a water pipe burst in the bathroom. Luckily it was in the ceiling above the shower drain so it wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been.Reading this post and seeing a picture of Pete made it a net positive day!You definitely had the lucky Golden ticket when you got Pete! 😊🐶

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  27. Thank you so much for this! I just love you and your dogs so much. I sure miss sweet Pete. I look forward to your next book. Good luck with getting your appliances!

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  29. I love this. Thank you for reminding me of my many blessings..This Thanksgiving I read My Dog Pete to my youngest granddaughter. She made me read it twice. I think tat means she liked it.

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  31. I was overjoyed when I saw this In my email. I share your sentiment. We must be grateful for all that we have. It may not be perfect But it may be exactly what we need… Although I’m sure appliances breaking may not be put in the same category LOL. I am so glad to hear that you and All the boys Are doing well

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  36. I just loved seeing Pete posts when I was still on Twitter. My screen saver is him flying across a starry sky with the two Germans below. He was so special.

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  38. I always loving seeing Pete. It brings joy to my heart. Someone once told me everyday is a gift from God (or choose your own deity). Some days are better than others, but it is still a gift. I can also relate to your Monday mornings. I used to work in IT and the weeks I was on call, the stress always started on Sunday. Carrying a pager was disruptive to my life which I have a strong urge to control. The constant fear of what emergency would I have to deal with was so stressful for me. So glad to finally be retired and having to decide what to have for breakfast!

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  39. I bought your book because I loved Pete from afar, as I’m sure many readers did. He was a joy to read about and I bet just as joyful to be around. God bless him always!

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  41. Your blogs bring a smile to my face!

    I have been off Twitter for a while and missed the adventures of Auggie and Eli. So sorry for your terrible scare with Auggie. What a relief that he is doing better!

    I am so grateful you are sending your blog posts to my email. They bring such joy to my life!

    I am looking forward to reading your new book and hearing more about the Germans.

    We lived in Mequon for 3 years and I enjoy hearing about and seeing pictures from the area. The snow on Eli’s face during their mid-romp pause made me chuckle!

    Wishing Auggie continued health and a joyful advent season to you and your family.

    Best regards,

    Laura Sams

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