Category Archives: Wisdom

High Coo – Homage to Spike Milligan and The Dog Lovers

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Crying for help – learn.theanxiouspet.com

Not all stories are happy. Today I recognize poet Spike Milligan and his poignant poem The Dog Lovers. Briefly, “Terence Alan “Spike” Milligan KBE (16 April 1918 – 27 February 2002) was a British-Irish actor, comedian, writer, musician, poet, and playwright.” He is also cited as having a major influence on The Monty Python Flying Circus. See https://mshistorytoday.com/spike-milligan/

While noted for his comedy, Spike Milligan could also describe tragedy. For example:

The Dog Lovers

by Spike Milligan

Spike Milligan

So, they bought you
And kept you in a
Very good home
Cental heating
TV
A deep freeze
A very good home-
No one to take you
For that lovely long run-
But otherwise
‘A very good home’
They fed you Pal and Chum
But not that lovely long run,
Until, mad with energy and boredom
You escaped- and ran and ran and ran
Under a car.
Today they will cry for you-
Tomorrow they will buy another dog.

https://www.best-poems.net/spike_milligan/the_dog_lovers.html

My humble haiku response: The Truth Hurts

It seemed right back then

to buy the good life – but we

seemed to miss the point

firstaidforpets.net

High Coo – Sept 10 – Pause, Breathe and Smile

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brewminate.com

Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself?
                                                                       —Lao Tzu

I woke up yesterday looking forward to the day ahead. My Friday morning routine at the local Y is something I really enjoy. Two hours of high intensity cardio followed by an hour of Chi Gong/Tai Chi. Sweat it out. Burn it off. Release the accumulated stress of the week.

And yet, when I arrived at the gym, I was discombobulated, jittery and uneasy. Was it the morning fog that slowed my drive? Was it the audiobook I’d been listening to on my drive? Was it …. I really didn’t know …. but I had arrived …. I was here …. it was time to ….

Today’s haiku: Pause, Breathe and Smile

Something feel not right?

Just pause, breathe and smile and

enjoy the moment.

runnerclick.com

High Coo – September 1 – Animal Chaplain Training

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chapelofthefields.com

Today is the first month of my animal chaplaincy program. I have acquired my textbooks, re-arranged my office and calendar, and am eager to attend the first class.

I will be journaling this 10-month program that leads to graduation in June ’23. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or offer commentary as your spirit moves.

BTW: It’s not too late for you to become a classmate, if you’re interested. See https://www.compassionconsortium.org/training for more information.

Here’s today’s haiku: Animal Chaplain Training

Doing what I love

combining my work and faith:

dog-walking poet

https://www.ahwatukee.com/news/article_b608ca1a-aba4-11e2-a089-001a4bcf887a.html

High Coo – August 30 – National Grief Awareness Day

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gmanetwork.com

There are many ways people cope with loss. Today we raise awareness on the sources of and resources for dealing with grief.

A lot has been learned about grief and it is not as simple or as sequential as once thought. For more information on this see https://nationaltoday.com/national-grief-awareness-day/

Here is today’s haiku: National Grief Awareness Day

Grief complications:

do not rush or minimize

self-care importance

gclipart.com

High Coo – August 22 – Killing for Love?

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makestickers.com

Today is the International Day to Commemorate Victims of Religious-based Violence which was first celebrated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.

The holiday explanation (see: https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-commemorating-the-victims-of-acts-of-violence-based-on-religion-or-belief/) states “Religion offers moral codes and teachings that can guide people to better their lives and the lives of others. But there’s ample evidence showing it may achieve the opposite.”

Today’s haiku: Killing for Love?

If life is sacred,

is harming life sacred too?

Does love inspire hate?

I think it’s healthy to question whether our actions support our beliefs. I think it’s helpful to invite “fellow believers” to do the same. I’m interested in knowing what you think.

High Coo – August 21 – National Senior Citizens Day

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horshamhc.com

Thirty-four years ago today, the oldest US President at the time, Ronald Reagan, established National Senior Citizens Day. Reagan was elected to office at age 69 and served until he was 77. He established this national holiday to recognize that people can continue to contribute well beyond traditional retirement age. See: https://respectcaregivers.org/national-senior-citizens-day/

So how old is a senior citizen? According to this holiday, senior citizenship begins at age 60. See: https://nationaltoday.com/national-senior-citizens-day/

Today’s haiku: National Senior Citizens Day

Age is a number

to track personal growth and

honor endurance

May our children and grandchildren become senior citizens someday. _/\_

Below is a recent picture of my granddaughter, daughter, me and my son-in-law.

High Coo – July 18 – Yes! It’s OK to Be Happy

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This is a beautiful day, a happy day. Why, well because I choose to be happy today. I know I am responsible for my own happiness and I know if I am happy it will contribute to others happiness. Also, today is my first child’s birthday. Ah, what a lucky man I am.

Today’s haiku is inspired by this wonderful day AND by a wonderful talk by Jonathan Foust.

May We Be Happy

Of all the choices

we have in ev’ry moment,

please choose happiness

For access to Jonathan Foust talk see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFdPPrXNgcU&t=118s

For more information about Jonathan Foust see his website: https://www.jonathanfoust.com/weekly-talk/oktobehappy

Jonathan Foust with his spouse Tara Brach

High Coo – July 9 – Study War No More

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Are you one of the 95% of the world’s human population that has lived your entire life under the threat of nuclear annihilation?

On this day in history in 1955, the Russell-Einstein Manifesto was issued which asked world leaders to abolish war; especially nuclear war.

Today’s haiku is:

Study War No More

Taught “duck and cover,”

still threatened by war today.

When will we learn peace?

For more information see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell%E2%80%93Einstein_Manifesto

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/08/06/life-under-bomb-means-life-resistance

High Coo – June 13 – Eat Flexitarian Day

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Not everyone is ready to become a vegan immediately. Yet, it is possible to improve our diets and be more compassionate in our food choices now. Today is Eat Flexitarian Day and here is a haiku for your consideration:

Friends Not Food

A better future

for us and sibling species:

Flexitarian?

For more information, check out this link:

Eat Flexitarian Day

High Coo – June 12 – Trinity Sunday

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Parents and children – where love can bloom

Today is Trinity Sunday. Whatever your faith or non-faith tradition, there’s wisdom in knowing we’re stronger as a supportive group than we are as individuals. Here’s today’s haiku:

Going As a River

Parents and offspring,

empowered by joyful love,

build community

For a more traditional religious perspective, you may also enjoy a sonnet by Malcolm Guite: https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2022/06/10/a-sonnet-for-trinity-sunday-9/

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