Friendly’s Too Easy

There are times when I feel like a Lone Ranger (no Tonto). Like a ronin (a wandering masterless samurai). Some people call that the ultimate, enviable freedom: no connections tying you down, no bosses, always on the move toward adventure, always looking out for number one. With that kind of freedom I can sleep as long as I like. Until, that is, Harry stands on my chest and licks my face.

If my human friends stood on me like this, assuming my rib cage could take it, I believe this particular morning ritual would lose some of its novelty. And I would really wonder how they got that awful breath with subtle undertones of day-old cat food. But Harry’s only about 50 pounds and he is a dog after all. Dogs are supposed to stink. So I accept his friendship as the gift it is.

The fourth point of the Scout Law is “a scout is friendly.” Honestly, I don’t plan to lob too many words at this one. Does anyone really doubt the virtue in breaking that ronin solitude and making cheery connections with others? The alternative to being friendly is, well, unpleasant. Even ferocious opportunists should realize the value of friendliness. Despite cynics’ theories of squeaky wheels getting oiled, some of us would rather skip the lube job and get rolling. Friction impedes progress. Friendliness is fuel.

Take man’s best friend. Mine, a one-time New Mexican stray named after my grandfather, provides the fuel to break my snooze and start the day. All with a well-timed morning tongue to the face. All out of the dumb loyalty and friendly enthusiasm that good friends— furry or not— can exert on one another. As Harry would counsel you, use your tongue, your wagging tail, and all the other resources at your disposal as a force for friendliness. Whether it gets you breakfast, a nice morning walk, or the start of a pillow fight or wrestling match, you can trust that it’s always a good thing.

Thanks for reading. Cheers,
Greg

Background: This is #4 of 12 monthly blogs in the 100th year of American Boy Scouts.

Photo by Boo-Creative

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