He goes by the improbable name of Bowser, a big, gentle labrador who loves to play. Bowser until recently was one of our regulars at the dog park. Sadly, he won't be joining us for our early morning romps in the future.
No, Bowser hasn't gone to the Big Dog Park in the Sky. We've had that happen to other friends and it's always a difficult time for all. No, this is Bowser's own fault. You see, he just doesn't adapt well to change.
The problem is that Bowser's guardians have bought a new car. Apparently, that "new car smell" we humans enjoy so much doen't work for Bowser. Unlike the smelly old car that he associated with trips to the dog park, it is an unknown smell and, in his world, that's not a good thing. Bowser refused to enter the new car and when an eighty pound dog digs in his heels, you're not moving him without a great deal of effort. It was easier to create a new routine of local walks than to fight him every morning and so Bowser is now making new friends closer to home.
Change is difficult for many of us, some more than others. Yet we can only grow through new experiences. Bowser's recalcitrance has two lessons for us. The first is that resisting change can alter your world just as strongly change can. The second is that resisting change doesn't always lead to negative consequences, just different ones. Bowser is still enjoying walks and making friends.
But I bet he's not having as much fun as he did at the dog park!
