Finally, a Companion

Photo credit: Keith Renninson, Buddy post-bath

Finally, a Companion

This is the fourth in my series of stories from my book “Tenacity” when I got lost in the Himalayas of Nepal. Hopefully, you will see how my experiences helped me develop my TRIP Technique lifestyle where having strengths of character from tenacity, resilience, imagination, and purpose are so important to a successful life.

The blisters on my feet were becoming a real distraction, I had one Clif bar left and I was quite sure that the Iodine tablets I was using to purify my water wasn’t strong enough…other than that being lost was really interesting.

I had cut a walking stick when I passed through a bamboo stand and it helped a lot on the uneven, rocky trail. Each day the temperature was in the upper 70’s under a beautiful clear sky and I sweat a lot carrying my backpack. It seemed as though I was meant to relive old memories as I walked along. They popped into my head and took me to another reality in my mind that helped me not focus on my problems.

One such memory was how I found a dog that I loved dearly for close to 15 years. His name was Hamilton, a Border Collie that wandered into the rock quarry I was working at after returning home from Vietnam. He was lost, starving and in need of medical care. I fed him and gave him water as soon as I gained his confidence starting a wonderful friendship. I truly believe that God gives us what we need when we need it, and Hamilton was one such time.

 On this day in Nepal, I thought I saw an animal out of the corner of my eye when I looked behind me and sure enough there was a black mutt staring back at me. When I stopped, he stopped about 20 feet away. He looked as wary of me and I’m sure I did of him. I was tired, so I sat on a nearby rock and took my pack off. I took out my Clif bar and tossed him a small piece of it…he walked to it, sniffed it, licked it and ate it. I think I saw a small wiggle of his tail giving away his approval.

Most dogs in Nepal are diseased, malnourished and mean, but this one looked pretty good overall. His coat was matted, snarled and filthy, but his eyes were clear, and he walked well. I continued to toss small bits of the bar to him until I had him eating out of my hand. I petted him and talked to him and soon we were best of friends. We walked together for most of the day.

I hadn’t had a shower for four days and needed a good cleansing. When I happened across a small stream, I followed it down off the trail for about 50 yards until I found a pool that I could sit in. I stripped down, waded into the cool water, and sat down. There were birds chirping and a slight breeze that made the leaves rustle in the luscious green trees. I took a good bath with soap that smelled so good. I began play with the dog splashing him with water, he picked up on the game and played along, barking, and jumping around.

I coaxed him close and gently pulled him into the water with me and proceeded to give him a bath. When he discovered what I was doing he stood still and let me wash him with the soap and then start trimming his coat. It was full of burrs and knots, and you couldn’t see his eyes at all. When I finished and rinsed him off, he looked so much better. I don’t think he’d ever had a bath. He was like a new dog, prancing down the trail all clean and happy; I named him Buddy and he was with me for the next couple of days.

Animals show resilience when cared for. When he had trust in me his spirits were lifted and it was visible how happy he was. We humans are very similar, aren’t we? When we are loved and cared for, we are happier too. During the COVID lock downs we all suffered from the lack of love and caring that came normally from relationships. You had to really work to keep your spirits up. But that’s what resilience is all about isn’t it? The old saying is so true, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”. Cliché’? Yes, but it gets to the core of what needs to happen.

Little Buddy got a bath and a new lease on life with love and affection. Treat those you meet in your day with love, respect, and affection in such a way that makes them feel good and in turn you will benefit as well. Our country needs to find it’s way back to respect for each other, being resilient and happy, not angry and fearful, will help...a lot!

Remember to take a TRIP for a lifetime, not a trip of a lifetime.

In the end, it’s just one man’s opinion…mine.

Keith……