Jul 12, 2010

So what do you really “have” to do today?

Entrepreneurs are usually pretty self-motivated people. We make to-do lists (see “Missing Pieces,” May 18, 2010) and almost intuitively know what needs to happen to get where we want to go, or think we need to be. We like to be in control (LOL).

But what do you really “have” to do today and what will (or might!) happen if you don’t?

My sweet husband likes to quote Ben Franklin and he (my sweet husband, not Ben) is wise enough to know not to quote Ben Franklin too frequently, even though I need to hear these things more often than not. Ben said “The only things you really have to do are pay your taxes, and die when your times comes.” These are the only certainties in life.

I had a long, but manageable to-do list for this past weekend. I’m leaving for France this Friday (!!!), and everything was under control for the trip.

Then, last Friday afternoon about 4:30, I glanced up from my desk into our fenced back yard and something white moved by the window. Sometimes a big yellow, marmalade cat jumps the fence, but this was definitely white and not a cat. Once outside, I found a small, Jack Russell Terrier who was not our dog. She was young (sharp baby teeth), beautiful, hollywood-worthy markings (as you can see), not wearing a tag and, again, inside the fence. Then it started to rain.

Our dog Gracie, was not happy. Jealousy set in as this friendly, little baby came bounding up to me. I pointed out to Gracie that she knew what it was like to be lost and alone (Gracie is a shelter dog who spent time on the streets), and she better be nice to this little bit. The rain increased and all of us went inside.

How did the little baby get in our yard? There is a small space between the fence post and the gate. So, did she get out of her yard, wander down the street (our neighborhood has mostly one-acre lots), randomly come upon our fence, randomly come to the small opening and decide to take the difficult route and to squeeze through? As the evening wore on, my heart sank and the thought occurred — was it really possible someone put her in our yard  — someone who had probably paid a lot of money for the baby, then realized having a “baby” takes a lot of time and patience — especially if the baby is a Jack Russel Terrier. These dogs are adorable, smart, lively, fun-natured and full of energy. I know. Jim and I had two Wire-haired Terriers when we were first married. Reggie was real sweet. Then, we thought it would be fun to have two dogs and we got Ester Mae Fuquay. It didn’t take long for us to nick-name her a wild-haired terror. They each lived a long, sometimes trying, but fun 13 years.

Much of the weekend was spent checking for a micro-chip (none), refereeing the two dogs (and cat), trying to wear the puppy out so I could put her safely (for her and our house) in the dog crate without too much guilt and whining (on her part) — babies do have to sleep right?

We made and posted signs. I still held out hope that the owners were just sitting back waiting for the rain to stop so they could find their valuable dog. (If you had a valuable puppy, would you, one, leave it unattended to possibly get out of your yard and then, two, wait a day or two to see if someone finds it?) I posted her on Facebook with replies of “she’s so cute,” “keep her” and “I want her.” I think two offers were very sincere, but distance and time made them sort of impractical.

Jim and I did not want a second dog. It’s a 12- to 15-year commitment with expense and responsibility, and we had “been there, done that.” Gracie is our one dog love for now. So, I e-mailed the local Jack Russel Rescue group and a wonderful young woman met me yesterday in a parking lot to make the hand-off. Little “Patches” (I couldn’t name her until I let her go) is now in good hands and will be well-cared for. If her current owners show up, they can go get her, and if not, the woman said she would most-likely be adopted by the end of this week — to someone who understands and really wants a Jack Russell.

So my weekend was, interesting and emotional, but not what I had planned. I was angry that someone else decided our yard and our house looked like a good place to leave an unwanted pet, gifting us their unwanted responsibility and yanking on my heart-strings. I do realize this is sort of a compliment (our place is comfy-looking), but I wish people would stop doing it. We have had unwanted dogs left in the front yard over the years, which doesn’t quite transfer the responsibility the way it does to have a “baby left on your doorstep,” or inside the back fence. Even in this short time I was getting a little emotionally attached. Again, look at her — and to think she was lost, unwanted and homeless! Awww… And — I was frustrated at not getting to my to-do list.

Sometimes (maybe all the time) it’s important to ask “Is this really something I have to do? Is it something I want to do? And, is it something should I do, as in, is it the right thing to do?” This weekend, I didn’t do what I thought I had to do, I didn’t do much of what I wanted to do, but what I did was hopefully the right thing to do. Sometimes it’s hard to know.

Good things can come from “not” doing what you think you “have” to do. Perhaps this is a fine way to just roll along everyday. By, Sunday little “Patches” had pretty well “rolled along” and settled into being ours — did she even remember her other family? She will “roll along” into another family, who will love her and laugh at her antics. With time and patience, she will be a good companion. Setting anger and frustration aside, it was sort of fun to own this little beauty for a short while. Did I tell you, I taught her to sit on command (we had time to play). “Click and treat” always works.

Really, everything is still under control for France. Susan listen: take the list, scratch it off — done or not! Relax — you’re going to France on Friday! What really needs to get done will get done. My sweet husband also has another saying. As we leave for any trip it’s become a tradition to cast all cares to the wind, and say “If we don’t have it, we don’t need it!”

(More on France to come!)

Susan