What are you carrying? What is your dog carrying?

Yes, it is true that the dog you are helping is the product of everything that has ever happened to him, just as you are. However, not every trauma that has happened to the dog is motivating his actions and thoughts all the time. Old memories fade. Old hurts fade. Wounds heal. We all have a tendency to keep reinforcing our memories of our dogs experiences. We may be defining them with events and traumatic experiences that may no longer apply.

This is one of the most famous stories of Tanzan, from the book, Zen Flesh Zen Bones.

Tanzan and Ekido were once traveling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was falling. As they came around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross at an intersection.

“Come on, girl,” said Tanzan at once. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.

Ekido did not speak until that night when they reached a lodging temple. Then he could no longer restrain himself. “We monks don’t go near females,” he told Tanzan, “especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?”

“I left the girl there,” said Tanzan. “Are you still carrying her?”