Reflections at Sunrise

There has almost always been, for me, something powerful about watching the sun rise and a new day emerge from the night. Often times we miss it, caught up in whatever else is going on that has us awake at the dawning hour, but the subtle currents are there. Yet, on those occasions when I sit or stand and just watch the sky brighten as the sun peeks over the horizon… well, I can’t think of one instance where that hasn’t somehow moved me.

This morning, as I sat by the window at the airport, watching the daybreak, it was definitely one of the powerful and memorable moments. I suppose that shouldn’t be too surprising. After all, I was getting ready for the trip back home and a return to the real world after a weekend with some pawsome pups and handlers. It’s nearly always with wistfulness that many of us make those treks home.

What struck me in that moment, though, was that feeling of being disconnected and how poignant it seemed. It was a feeling I’ve had before but never been able to put into words. A feeling of suddenly being cut off from the whole and alone.

And just as quickly it struck me that I have no reason to ever feel that way. No reason whatsoever. I don’t have to look all that far back to find a moment to remind me that I’m absolutely not alone as a pup.

But, now that my mind had gone there, as I watched that sunrise, I thought about how many others can’t look back and so quickly find a moment like that. Pups out there who want that connection so that they can feel they belong and connected. If I could feel that way in a moment of weariness and transition, how does it feel to those who live it day after day?

We know those pups are out there. We see it almost every day via social networking. And many of us, via those same social networks, offer up sincere words of encouragement and virtual nuzzles to our brothers and sisters in need. This is a good first step in building up those connections to the whole and fostering the sense of belonging and inclusion. Never in a million years would I discourage it.

The pup community is overwhelmingly supportive and inclusive. No, it’s not universal. No community can ever claim that. However, unlike many, there seems a greater awareness and embracing of our diversity. That often translates into encouragement and support coming from many corners and kennels to a pup in need or even one just having a rough time. IN all my time in the leather community, I’ve never seen anything like we see it here.

But what else can we do? A virtual hug, no matter how sincere, doesn’t convey the reassurance and comfort of a real one. The same would seem to logically apply to being connected to the pup community via real ties and not just the electronic ones of Facebook. There’s a vast difference between reading about the ties of pack brotherhood and actually being surrounded by it and feeling it all around. It has to be very difficult to see so much going on here and there in the community and not be able to be a part of the fun and brotherhood. While it’s easy to say someone just has to show up, there are many factors that put it beyond the reach of some.  For those on the geographical fringe, it may not be easy getting to where the fun seems always to be.

I wish I had answers to this question. For a moment as I watched the dawn, it was disheartening that nothing came to mind. However, I’m a sucker for symbolism. And, in that dawning moment, I realized that, like the sunrise, all the resources and potential the pup community has within it can be what brightens the way. Whether as individuals or as groups and organizations, we have a lot of out there already broadening the connections amongst us all. We’ve already been doing it. This is just another day.

We talk about being one pack, inclusive and embracing. For that to truly be, it has to reach all who identify as pups and handlers.