When Arty lies down and crosses his paws, it's a cute little trick that makes you stop and smile. He’s happy to engage his whole body in the process, proving how much he LOVES learning new things! What a great example he is for us. Not that we have paws to cross, yet as we connect, it brings opportunities for us to learn something new.
The Trick “Crossing Paws”
The Training Process
We cross our arms. We cross our legs. We even cross our eyes! We also cross paths. Carl Jung stated "The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed." Every crossing, even in the detours, adds a whole new layer to the story.
Now there’s a thought ~
What if we are missing something special in our world by not lingering just a bit when we cross paths with others? Frequently we are on autopilot as we navigate our daily lives. While routines are helpful, they can easily cause us to treat others like background scenery.
Instead of allowing others to disappear into the background, take a moment to notice them. The waiter who shows you a video of something creative they have done. The kind person who returns the shopping cart for you when your hands are full. The neighbor who waves as you drive by. The co-worker who makes that second (or third!) pot of coffee for the office. Ask them a question, strike up a conversation, and make space for others in your day. When we pull people out of the shadows, we share in their humanity, see their uniqueness and bring value to each life.
Just as small moments of kindness brighten our daily routines, sharing stories online can expand that circle of warmth far beyond our local neighborhoods. It turns our screen-to-screen encounters into genuine human connections.
Every time Arty’s story is shared, it creates a special two-way journey, and, hopefully, adds a little joy to yours. It constantly amazes me how far this little blog has traveled, connecting Arty with readers all across the globe—from the US, UK, Mexico, Germany, France, and Ukraine to India, China, Australia, Singapore, and Sweden. It’s living proof that digital connections carry a unique and meaningful value of their own.
In the holiday season, paths cross as people gather to celebrate. Our dogs can be wonderful reminders that connection often begin with openness and willingness; they greet us, investigate with tail wagging, and invite interaction we humans sometimes forget to do. So the next time you see a dog's paws cross, consider it a little reminder to keep your own path open. You never know who you might meet, what stories you might hear, what you might learn, or what beautiful connections you might make.
Crossing paws, Crossing Paths.
So many good things happen when different paths cross.
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
— Walt Disney
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