Chocolates, Cows and Cobwebs
What could possibly go wrong....
Who doesn’t love a 6am wake up call on a Bank Holiday Monday by the rustling sound of ridgebacks getting up to no good?! It was enough to springboard me out of bed this morning and get on with my day.
Obi, my male ridgeback had his head well and truly planted in my Hotel Chocolate patisserie chocolates. Bloody brilliant! Never mind the fact that chocolates are actually poisonous for dogs, they were a gift from my eldest son for my Birthday.
There are no words to explain my utter disappointment, more in me, I should know better than to leave an expensive box of chocolates within reach of gigantic paws.
I frogged marched them out of the house and into the boot of my car, grabbed a STRONG coffee en-route and decided to not let the chocolate fiasco spoil my Monday morning.
Fair play at 630am, it was beautiful out.
Nature was at its best, rabbits frolicking in the distant morning mist, with golden sunshine backlighting rows and rows of spiders webs, layered between the wild bushes and brambles.
It was sheer entertainment for the eyes.
And not a soul in sight.
My perfect kind of dog walk.
Whilst I was busy taking photos of the delicate threaded spiders webs, little did I know that a more formidable presence was silently making its way towards me.
The ridgebacks moved close to my side, their heads held high, poised, standing with an air of curiosity. As I looked up a herd of cows were literally yards away from us.
My heart was in my mouth!
I had one option, grab and go.
Ridgebacks vs Cows - this was not going to end well.
OMG! Why me?!
Luckily I had just enough time to loop their leads back on and escape through a gate to my left. It could have been quite a messy situation for all involved. I actually like cows. But I don’t like being in charge of two very energetic ridgebacks with a herd of boisterous cows heading towards us.
At that moment, I realised the irony of my situation, whilst I was hyper focused on my photography, I had missed the broader picture - the cows and their proximity.
A stark reminder that in life, as is in nature, balance is key.
This incident provoked deeper introspection. How often do we become so absorbed in our pursuits, in our own worlds that we fail to notice the large currents that surround us? I wonder how many times I have been so hyper-focused on my ambitions and daily tasks, only to overlook the opportunities, challenges and even dangers that lie just beyond my field of view.
Perhaps this lesson what about being present in the fullest sense - not just in paying attention to the details, but in cultivating awareness of our surroundings, of the people and situations that shape our journey.
As the cows returned to munching the grass and my ridgebacks jogged on in the search of more wildlife, my shoulders relaxed and we continued on with our walk. It served as a poignant metaphor for life’s moments - temporary, ever changing and often requiring us to adapt, even if we are caught off guard.
It’s been quite an extraordinary start to my August Bank Holiday, time for another rather strong coffee
Note to self: expect the unexpected!
Until the next time
Take care & stay safe xx
I love how you turned a bad situation into a glorious early morning opportunity... and then a close shave with cows into a moment of reflective introspection... beautifully inspiring Tanya 💛
I have to admit I’m more inclined to let it wind me up and ruin my whole day - I’m just thinking of all those potential missed opportunities by letting a bad mood consume me! 🫣😅
Dogs and cows not a good combination! Hope the rest of your day is more relaxing x