Lessons Learned At The Petting Zoo

Last week, I was taking a extended walk by means of my neighborhood with my Seeing Eye dog, Carson, when we encountered a festival filled with happy little ones and a carnival atmosphere. Navigating by mobile petting zoo of wall-to-wall folks is often a challenge, but I decided to brave it and we pressed on, hoping the sidewalk wouldn’t be blocked.

Suddenly, Carson darted off the walkway, his nose aimed with an intensity that could only imply there was a further animal nearby.

Frustrated, I pulled Carson back on track, only to have him get distracted by yet another smell on the opposite side. I was increasing irritated with the crowd and Carson’s behavior until a man behind me chuckled and stated, “Your dog is sniffing a llama!” As far as I know, llamas are not indigenous to my neighborhood… nor this continent, for that matter!

The man, nevertheless laughing, continued, “The library is getting a carnival and there is a petting zoo set up all along the street.”

As Carson sniffed a child donkey, I had a swift moment to think. At that point, I had two options I could have gotten angry at the unexpected distractions along my route, OR I could laugh at the pure oddity of a herd of exotic animals hanging out about the library! I chose the latter.

“Carson, that’s a llama,” I mentioned, bending down to recapture his interest, “But do not worry, I won’t be receiving 1 as a pet!” I had to just laugh and shake my head in amusement at his sheer puppy behavior! Immediately after that laugh, even I couldn’t be annoyed when, ahead of we reached the end of the block, Carson had also sniffed out a goat, a pony and a range of other creatures I doubt he’d been exposed to during his brief two years on this planet!


A lesson discovered at the petting zoo: Take a moment to be amused, not frustrated, when points do not go as planned. If you appear difficult enough, you will almost certainly come across some humor in the adverse experience, also. A bit of humor lies in each and every circumstance. It is up to us whether we look upon the complete as a challenge or a pleasure. Decide on the pleasure… you may perhaps just stroll away with a fantastic story!

Author: quadro_bike

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