In Praise Of Three-Legged Dogs

a meditation on balance, resilience, and joy

My heart expands every time I see a three-legged dog. I notice that I tend to cross paths with them during moments when I am down on myself. Perhaps senselessly worrying about things that I should have said or did not say, or where I fell short of some intended goal, or how everything would be better if whatever it is I am ruminating about would resolve.

Then, it is as if the universe has had enough of my brooding, and says, “Okay, please stop. Look over there at that three-legged dog!”

This happened recently, while visiting my mother for the holidays in Florida. I was out walking one morning, and instead of admiring the ducks in the lake, or the white egrets delicately walking between the blades of St. Augustine grass, I was on the phone complaining about a writing assignment that was taking longer than anticipated. 

A dog, who was out for a walk with his human, came over to say hello. He was brown, he was a boxer mix, and he had three legs. His name was Zuko and to save his life after a car accident, his left hind leg had to be amputated. Having three legs did not seem to matter to Zuko, as he soaked up my head rubs and back scratches. His owner remarked that we both seemed quite smitten with each other, and she offered to take this picture.

I shared with his owner that I had a secret love for three-legged dogs, but until that day, I had never really considered why.

What about them opens me up to an expanded way of seeing the world?

For me, they are a reminder of how to recalibrate, reset, and rebalance.

They speak of resilience.

Of hope

Of second chances

Of continuing despite the odds.

Of how to be open to joy even when things are less than ideal.

All qualities that strike me as essential for fully embracing the world.

I am curious…

Wishing you all things good,

Tamara