Mystic goes to summer camp

And I cry

I’ve always known this day was coming.

When I flew to Mississippi in February to meet my new life companion, I knew.

When I picked up and cuddled half-dozen squirming border collie puppies, I knew.

When I said “she is the one” to the puppy with a tiny white blaze on her forehead, I knew.

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As I drove her from Mississippi to New Mexico three weeks later, I knew.

As I introduced her to her new home and her new community of people and dogs and trees and mountains and wide open spaces, I knew.

I knew that three months after I brought her home I would be leaving her for two months.

And now that day has come.

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Mystic is now 6 months old. She loves to cuddle in the mornings, has all her adult teeth, and is at the far edge of her heart-melting cute little puppy phase and moving steadily toward her demon spawn of satan phase.

(Hint: might not be best to pick the puppy in the litter named Sassy. Oh boy howdy.)

Mystic at ten weeks old, day we left Mississippi for New Mexico

Mystic at six months at home in our tent

In truth, she is an amazing dog, and a splendid representative of her breed.

People, there is no off button.

I’ve spent the last three months doing my best to make sure this little fur ball does not 1. get herself killed 2. eat down the house 3. cause me to go nuclear

It has been work, let me tell you! I’m exhausted and I feel like my attention is a frayed tattered flag flapping in the wind, most of its cloth scattered in all directions.

Today I write you from a very disheveled but dog-free tent.

I dropped Mystic off yesterday with our dog trainer Jane. I say our dog trainer because if you know dogs, you know that the real training is not about the dog but about training the human to be in right relationship with the actual dog that they have, not the dog they wish or think they should have.

Jane of Jane Trains in Taos, New Mexico is a miracle worker. I don’t have the brain power (see: tattered flag metaphor above) to extol her expertise, wizardry, clarity, and heart at this time. But I will be doing a podcast with her in the not too distant future so you can hear for yourself.

Really the main reason I knew I could get another dog after losing my Demi Goddess was because I knew Jane would a guide and ally and support system. There are many ways to train animals, but few who have the skill to develop, deepen, and share positive reinforcement training at the level Jane does.

Parents have told me that having a child is like having your heart living outside of your body. I felt a little bit of that sensation when I drove away after dropping Mystic off with Jane. I feel stretched, like my heart is here and there.

And soon that heart-pull will stretch across the Gulf of Mexico and later the Atlantic Ocean as I travel to Mexico, France, and Scotland this summer.

Mystic may miss me, but this is hard to beat! Below is a tiny video of Mystic about 20 minutes after I left, playing with her new puppy friend.

This week I’m teaching an intensive apprenticeship group up at Warrior Heart Ranch, and having my attention returned back to my own body, not worrying about what Mystic may be eating or digging or peeing on is such a relief. I’ll miss my girl. And I know she is getting the best care and support she can with Jane.

Mystic Summer Camp 2025 has begun.

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Share your animal stories below! I’d love to hear about your fur companions current or past. What quirks did they have, how did they love or play, what challenges arose, how did they break open your heart in the best way?

Mystic and her uncle Jefe playing last week… Turn the volume up for this one, it is hilarious! Jefe is slowly warming up to Mystic. She is very very persistent!!!!