When I was a boy I had a Pug named Meg. Meg was a true lap dog, aptly placed in the “Toy Group” by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Originally bred as companions to Chinese Emperors, Meg’s greatest strengths were best summarized in the last sentence of her AKC bio: “Pugs can be their adorable selves anywhere.” And that’s what Meg did best—nothing at all.
The only thing I remember Meg being good at was sitting on my lap and watching football. That’s it. Breeders selected her genes for this mission over thousands of generations, destined to be a lap dog, and lap dog she was.
Meg spent the second half of her life with labored breathing (also genetic) under the stairs in the garage. When I packed up my car for the road trip to Montana for college, Meg didn’t leave her sacred spot under the stairs to say goodbye. That’s how Pugs roll and I loved her for it.
Ever since Meg, I’ve owned golden retrievers. Today, I own a golden named Chimehuin, who is named after a Patagonian trout stream. Golden retrievers come from a Scottish gundog and fall in the AKC “Sporting Group.” The last line of their AKC bio reads: “For a breed built to retrieve waterfowl for hours on end, swimming and fetching are natural pastimes.” It could also read: the opposite of a pug. Or, will always be at your side or in your car while loading your car for college.
Similar to Meg, Chimehuin loves all of the things the breeders selected for in her life. A couch to Meg is a river to Chimehuin. She can’t spend too much time camping, fishing, fetching, and enjoying the great outdoors. Meg’s only activity outside of the garage was to use the restroom.
So, what’s my point?
Humans are like dogs. Our happiness in life lies in knowing who we are.
As I’ve highlighted before, I think my DNA has survived over 4,000 battles over death. If you’re reading this, chances are yours has too. Congrats, you also have winning genes! Just like my lap-loving pug or water-loving golden, this genetic code comes pre-programmed. I love to fish, be in nature, exercise, and work creatively in the world of marketing. I dislike big cities, being lazy, and financial accounting. I credit much of the happiness in my life to recognizing who I am and what my genes love most.
I wouldn’t recommend fighting your DNA, or you’ll be as miserable as a pug on a river trip or golden retriever in a world without tennis balls. Like our four-legged friends, we too struggle mightily when we try to be someone we’re not.
Find you and be you.
“You are you. Now isn’t that pleasant. ”