Being a Shepherd

For a number of years I have wondered and felt that somewhere, sometime, I was a shepherd. This sense, resonance or past life memory,  was triggered with certain activities and foods...one of which was eating cheese and bread - in chunks. Such a simple life - but not without knowledge.

When I took on the job of training our new dog, it seems to have come back, the instinct to walk, the dog just around somewhere, staff in hand. The other day I went into the other pasture to get her back from herding cows, and again, something just felt so familiar. There is supposed to be a partnership with  and reliance on the dog.

In my attempts to find "work" ideas for our new dog, I came across a site about the German Shepherd Herding Dog - and was amazed.
- a must read for lovers of the German Shephard herding dog

The picture above looks a lot more romantic than it likely was - but the times way back then were different than today.

I look at the pasture and wish there was a herd of sheep to take care of with enough public land. I'd love to walk it, with a couple of dogs doing their jobs. Our new dog is quite independent, and she already knows how to do this...or so imagine. You'd think it would get old, being out there with a hard and simple life, alone a lot. There are moments of freedom there though, lots of them.

Anyway - this was a couple hundred years back in another continent, but it's in my bones, in my soul and I am deeply grateful.

Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts wurden in Deutschland, Holland, Belgien, Frankreich, Italien, Ungarn usw. riesige Schafherden von Hirten mit Ihren Hunden betreut. Je nach Region und Land entstanden unterschiedliche Typen von Schäfer- und Hirtenhunden: Aus diesen Vorgängern entstand in Deutschland der "Deutsche Schäferhund", in Frankreich der "Briard, Picard, Beauceron" und nahe der spanischen Grenze die Pyrenäenhunde, in Italien der Maremmano, in Ungarn der Puli, Kuvasz usw.

Playing

I love the way she plays, she, our German Shepherd/Husky. It is delightful watching her invitations to the other dogs, the making herself small by laying down and on her back, the stopping when it seems to much for the little guy, her being able to outrun them and handle all situations with them...I love watching them all play. She is a beautiful being...and her playfullness is refreshing.
someday I'll post a video link.

A better world? - Things to do before you die

Ron Kurtz died - he originated Hakomi - and this is what Mukara said on facebook, along with the post of  a video:

beautiful life, beautiful gift. everyone is better because Ron brought Hakomi to the world.

 I agree, having done the basic Hakomi training. 

 What is it that I brought to this life? What am I leaving behind? - What about you?