
Of course we took our poodles Huck and Woody with us. They’ve been visiting the Polynesian with us for over thirteen years. The manager knows them well and extends them special privileges because they have a history of being better behaved than most children.
The dogs were excited to arrive and visit the doggie area before inspecting our room. The doggie area at the Polynesian includes a circular walk through the dunes and back to the hotel. Oh the sniffing that can be done on the doggie walk! This is the first lesson of the beach. Even the mundane necessary is full of interesting things.


This is the second lesson of the beach. Enjoy the journey to get there. Stop and look at what is around you. I take my camera and try to see the dunes through the eyes of my dogs when they just stop and look in all directions.

A beach that has been swept by the sea, still contains a thousand things to investigate—a discarded shell, a feather, even sea foam. Huck and Woody were particularly curious about a sand castle that was slowing dissolving in the wind.
Eventually, the dogs settled down to walk beside us in as companions on our journey down the beach. Still, I could not help but be aware that they see more than I see. They notice every detail. They love every moment of the experience of the wind, the sand, and the sound of the ocean. This is the third lesson of the beach. See the details and appreciate them.

At the end of three days, our brief vacation came to an end. It’s always good to spend time with the man I married. It’s good to get away from my household and garden chores. However, the things that I take away from the experience are the lessons I learned from my dogs. Who could be depressed or feel empty and alone if they could learn to see and to enjoy as my two poodles see and enjoy?