The cold Wisconsin winter has set in; it's snowing, frigid, it gets dark early.  It makes a dog dream of sunny climes and the lure of a surfboard on a sandy beach.  You may be surprised to learn that certain dogs have the ability to "hang paws" , but it's true.  There are various Surf Dog competitions around the country which demonstrate our seafaring talent, our love of competition and challenge.  The fact that we might get wet in the process is the only negative I can think of.  Luckily, humans set up these contests in areas where surfing is relatively safe, where the curl is somewhat controlled, and the dogs are experienced competitors, not rash amateurs.  Surfing doesn't appeal to, or come naturally to all dogs.  Some of us are loathe to dip a toe in a rain puddle, much less ride the pipeline.  Surfing the swell can be swell, for the right dog, in the right place, at the right time. 

Some animals have written that surfing is a metaphor for life.  It's a competition.  We try to find the perfect wave and failing in that quest causes "dukkha", suffering.  We watchfully wait for that perfect wave to form, to be in the right place for the break, to time the curl. Of course, even if you're in the right place at the right time, it won't matter if you never had surfing lessons. Even if you're a natural, such as I.

What if these animals are correct, and life comes down to grabbing your board each morning and heading out into the ocean in search of success, or even mere survival. No matter what the weather, even though the shore may be rocky, sustenance can only be obtained by getting up on the board and finding balance.  Animals would need to be taught early on what the game is, would have to learn how to navigate the waves at an early age. The nature of the experience would depend on the nature of the seas that they individually encounter. Some are born into calm, some into calamity.  For some the shore is rocky, for others silky soft sand.  Storms will arise, and even skill and nurtured ability may be inadequate in the face of a maelstrom.  Other surfers may get in the way, their boards sharp and dangerous.  Even gentle waves may hide riptides, seabed obstacles, sharks.  Getting through a day in the surf unscathed is a challenge.  Taking that board out every day will take its toll on those who are ill prepared, who live on rocky shores, who have the ill fortune to be buffeted by stormy seas. Those who are taught early, who live in placid conditions on gentle seas, will wonder what's so tough about this surfing thing and continue working on their tans.

Some animals, humans and dogs included, enjoy surfing.  For those who don't like the water, who never learned to balance on a board, there's still the challenge of "surfing" through samsara.  The experience will be different for each organism, the lessons learned will be unique in accordance with the animal's nature.  Some will thrive in the wake of the challenge, others will drown as they are overcome by the pounding surf.  Achieving blessed balance is the goal; in the midst of a long ride, in the tube of a perfect wave, as it breaks on a sunny shore. Is it summer yet?