Can I let sleeping dogs lie?
This morning I woke to hear the adage 'Let sleeping dogs lie' differently, and NOT as it was meant to be heard:
'Let sleeping dogs lie (as in telling tall tales and untruths)...'
The phrase reminds me of the 5th Toltec maxim 'Listen, but be sceptical.' Neither suggest waking the dog or attempting to interrupt or disturb the dream (or story/lie being told).
Mmm... May be this applies to humans too?
Waking the dog/human from his or her dream, disturbing the lie? It's so tempting if the dog is whimpering, but is that for me to do? Indeed, vets and dog behaviourists warn against it for the wellbeing of the animal.
I think - unless the human animal is actually endangering themselves or others - it's wisdom to let those humans asleep with their stories wake up naturally too, you might be depriving them of a dream or lie they need to believe in. The dream is utterly real.
I have - in the guise of helping - attempted the gentle (and not-so-gentle) waking thing countless times. And often discovered the dog turns into a bear with a sore head!
As for speculating about the nature and meaning of their story or dream? Isn't that just an invitation to fall asleep and dream up my own lie?
Of course, when the dog (or human) does wake up in his or her own time, the story / dream is over... That's when I might be asked for reassurance, explanation, comfort or help.
Is this being wimpish? No. It might just be a way of wiping the sleep from my eyes.
#mucus #sleep #dog