The Places That Never Leave Us
Every day Dad and I go for a walk.
Usually it's the same route near home. Sometimes we find somewhere new. I don't really mind, as long as there are interesting smells and the occasional squirrel.
Last week, Dad took me to Calderstones Park, and as we were walking along its perimeter, something different happened.
Dad stopped.
Not because I'd found something exciting.
Not because there was another dog.
He just... stopped.
We were standing outside an old adventure playground called Calder Kids.
He told me that, nearly forty years ago, he used to volunteer there, helping children and young people with physical and learning disabilities.
The place is abandoned now.
I could tell it made him sad.
Dogs don't really understand abandoned buildings. We don't think like that.
To us, somewhere is either full of smells or it isn't.
Humans are different.
A place can hold memories.
As we stood there, Dad talked about the people he worked with, the children he remembered and how much he loved being there.
Then he said something I'd never heard before.
"I felt useful there."
I thought about that all the way on the drive home.
Dogs don't worry much about careers.
Nobody asks us where we see ourselves in five years.
We don't compare salaries or job titles.
Our purpose is much simpler.
Look after the people we love.
Be pleased to see them.
Sit quietly when they're sad.
Remind them to go for a walk when life gets too busy.
Maybe humans make purpose more complicated than it needs to be.
Dad has had lots of jobs.
Some he enjoyed.
Some he just had to do.
Sometimes work is about paying the bills. There's nothing wrong with that. We all need food in our bowls.
But perhaps every human should ask themselves one question now and again.
When was the last time you felt useful?
Not important.
Not successful.
Just useful.
Because judging by the look on Dad's face outside that old playground, those moments stay with you for a very long time.
Now, if you'll excuse me...
I think I can smell a squirrel.
🐾 Dixi