It’s a dog’s life at the cottage

Sometimes, I think that there are as many dogs at the cottage as there are people. Just like people, they’re all different. They may be friendly or territorial, well behaved or unruly, quiet or noisy. Some are a joy to have around and some are not, but they all seem to love the cottage as much as people do.

My favourite cottage dog (beyond my own, of course) is Mulligan; a gorgeous golden lab that I often meet on morning walks. At 20 feet away his tail starts to wag, and as he gets closer his whole body wags. He loves a head scratch, and noses my pockets to check for treats. A laid-back lab, he walks slowly, and I and my high energy dog soon leave him behind. He seems to bear no grudge at being left, and gives the same enthusiastic greeting the next time.

It’s an uphill walk for the aging Mulligan to get to our property, so it’s rare for him to make it this far. One afternoon, however, I see him exploring on the bank. He manages to get himself into a hollow on the hill, where steep rocks form a pocket. The problem is that once in the hollow he sits and cries. He can’t understand how to get out.

I understand finally why his name is Mulligan. Just like a nervous golfer on the first tee, he’s prone to making mistakes. And once he’s made a mistake, he’s not sure how to fix it.

I rescue him from his dilemma and walk him home to make sure he gets there. Within a few moments he calms down and seems pleased by the company. A chipmunk chatters at him, but he’s too relaxed to chase it. Just ambling along the road on a summer’s day makes him content.

I think about all the books that have been written in recent years on the subject of happiness; it seems to be an elusive obsession for many people. Mulligan, who has all of the goofy happiness of a good-natured lab, might give those souls invested in that search a few pointers:

Live in the present. Make friends with everyone you meet. Take a walk. Observe the scenery. Enjoy your treats. Jump in the lake on a hot day. Jump in the lake just for the fun of it. Chase the occasional tennis ball. Sit in the bow of the boat. Nap in the shade.

Not a bad prescription for human cottagers, too.

Marijane Terry is a cottager who likes to write.