Finding A Purpose
by Baxter Black, DVM

The kindest thing I ever do for my wife is to ask her to pick something up for me when she is going shopping. Nonessential tasks are so much easier if there is some purpose involved.

I enjoy bein’ a’horseback. And I enjoy entertaining on trail rides. But I rarely accept an invitation just to go riding. However, I try not to turn down an opportunity to gather cows, ride fence, go roping, brand at the neighbors, test new saddle soap, try out new horseshoes, exercise the dogs or search for deer sign.

Something serious...meaningful, worth doin’, “See ya, dear, me and the kid are goin’ to the south pasture to check for (pick one: Kudzu invasion, alien sighting, rhinoceros tracks or sheep on the half shell), be back in a couple of hours.”

How ‘bout Border Collies and bird dogs trapped in an urban backyard. Thank goodness they don’t feel the need to lead meaningful lives or they wouldn’t be caught dead chasing frisbees or walking on their hind legs for a Co-op dog biscuit. Can’t you imagine how their heart would sing for the sound of a shotgun or the smell of an ol’‚ ewe!

I’ve often wondered if martial arts practitioners get so tired of posturing, practicing and pulling their punches, that they slip out and deliver a few swift kicks and Judo chops to the occasional jaywalker or rude motorist.

I’ve seen ambulance drivers suddenly turn on the siren and speed up. I find them down the road three miles at the coffee shop. I figger it gives them a momentary surge of adrenaline and scares the pea-waddin’ out of us. But it’s nothing like the rush they get when lives are on the line.

The Army, government bureaucracies, parents and compassionate corporations insist on endless make work projects, to keep the oar pullers busy. At-the-ready, so to speak. And, I could apply this same logic to riding a horse on a nonessential mission. It could just be keeping horse and man sharp or, at least mounted part of the time in case of a sudden stampede, mail delivery or cavalry attack. It’s the same logic used by NORAD who keep 1/3 of their bombers in the air at all times.

Whatever reason, I feel better if I’m horseback for a practical reason. So, in deference to my wife who often goes shopping the way cavemen went hunting, with no specific game in mind, I feel I give her some focus, and relief if I ask her to pick me up some specific item.

‘Course it helps if what I want is on her way.