Red Dog White Dog: A Story of Perspective

The Story
As I was taking a morning walk in my neighborhood few weeks ago, I came upon a woman walking her two dogs. One was a long-haired red Dachshund, the other a white Westie.  As true dog lover, I approached the owner to ask if I might pet her dogs.

the "white dog"

She replied to me, "The white one is a lover, the red one - she has a serious complex!"  I chuckled and bent down to pet the little white dog who had already appeared by my side as if to say, "I'm happy, good morning!"  The red dog, true to her master's judgement, began to bark, as if to say "Look at me, look at me! I'm here too!  Hey, what about me?"  I responded to the red dog's lament with a thought - (not voiced) "Yes I see you little red dog!  You are so cute, why don't you come over here and get a pet with your friend as well?"

Interestingly, with just the turn of my body in her direction and the welcoming thought - the little red dog turned her shoulder to me and stopped barking.  I bid the owner and her dogs a good morning and headed on my way - one dog shy of a full morning greeting!

The Technology
As I walked back to my house from the red dog/white dog encounter I found myself thinking about how technology impacts our behavior, causing us to demand attention in ways similar to the two dogs. I wondered about whether or not we might see ourselves mirrored in the behavior of the red dog, white dog, or both.

the "red dog"

The red dog, for me, represents an oh-my-god-i-must-check-my-text-mail-voicemail-right-now technology mentality.  In my estimation, "red dogs" seek to grab our attention, to get us to notice, and then they ignore us in favor of their technology of choice.  Can you think of a time where you've been guilty of "red dog" behavior?  Do you sometimes pull out your cell phone, forgetting that the person you are with is even there at the dinner table?  Have you ever been asked to put your device away?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, perhaps you were indulging a bit of "red dog" behavior.

I believe the white dog is representative of a i-am-glad-to-be-here-with-you-in-this-present-moment technology mentality.   "White dogs" not only notice we are with them, they are happy we are there, giving us their full attention.  Taking on a "white dog" mentality can also mean rising to a higher vision of what technology's purpose and promise are.  Have you ever been the "white dog," literally forgetting about your phone-computer-iPad because you were so lost in conversation with someone?  Have you ever been so caught up by the beauty of nature or a musical performance that you later were sorry you didn't capture the moment digitally?  If you answered yes to any of these questions take heart, then perhaps you also have a bit of "white dog" in you as well.

Connections
I am currently interested in exploring when-where-how particular devices are most useful.  Sometimes when I'm heading out to meet a prospective client I take just my iPhone and an iPad.  Sometimes I haul my laptop along too.  I am enjoying the inquiry into which tool can best support the kinds of activities that I will be engaged in.

 a "mix of the two dogs"

Taking it a step further though, I have begun to work on being more present in the moment, beyond the technology that fits the situation.  I've intentionally gone to places with no technology at all, I've turned off my technology in favor of eye contact, and I've even been on retreat where I had no technology (or conversation for that matter) for several days.  The results have been interesting and quite enlightening!

I can identify times when I have been the red dog, the white dog, and a more mixed-breed of the two. I don't think there is one way to look at the red-dog/white-dog story.  There is no moral - no satisfying this-is-how-it-should-be-done type of ending.  There is just the noticing of two types of personalities presented by the dogs, their particular characteristics, and the impact they have on the others who share the morning air with them.  I believe the two dogs provide us with the opportunity to see them as ourselves in each moment, and to make a choice from that place of knowing, about how to use our technologies in each moment.  Mindfully.

Red Dog, White Dog images courtesy of Pixabay: http://pixabay.com
Sheltie image courtesy of "Doolan" himself!