It might sound like madness. And it doesn’t work with everyone. In fact, there are probably a lot more people it doesn’t work with than it does. But I have this trick. It’s kind of a signature move of mine, if I have such a thing. I jump until someone catches me.
I remember the first time it happened like it was yesterday. I was new to my forever home and I was in my backyard paradise with my new forever mom. She patted her legs with her hands and said “up” and I did it. Without a second thought, I jumped right into her arms.
It wasn’t long before I started responding to anyone who did that gesture with my signature move. My aunt Morgan. My mom’s friend Andi. Anyone who patted their legs in that certain way had a Wiley in their arms shortly thereafter.
I’m not sure who trained who when it comes to this particular behavior, if I’m being honest. But lately I have noticed it doesn’t work quite as well. Because lately when my forever mom and dad leave the house they do so with that big old car seat and a diaper bag and whatever other accessories are required for baby Carter. And without me.
At least most of the time when I know I would have otherwise been invited on whatever journey was about to ensue I now hear the dreaded “stay” word. At first it bothered me a little. At first I cursed the dreaded “stay” word. But today I realized that is silliness. 
I still have my fair share of adventures. In fact, I dreamed today of some places I would like to travel. I hear there is a camp for dogs and their people in Vermont where you can square dance. In San Diego, there are beaches that allow dogs to roam and swim freely. Austin Texas apparently has a bunch of dog parks to explore.
I can’t say for certain whether I will ever make it to these places. But I can confirm the madness. Because as my favorite transcendentalist thinker Ralph Waldo Emerson put it “though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.”
There is something special that happens when I make it into the arms of my forever mom before a journey. And it doesn’t matter if the extent of that journey is a car ride to the grocery store. Joy. From the ground up, it happens in those moments for my mom and I. We carry each other in those moments. Because it doesn’t matter where you’re going in life as much as who you’re going there with.
Wiley's Wisdom 
Sometimes daydreaming about going to places with the people we love is better than going – those daydreams to a happy place are like little vacations in themselves
p.s. You look like you’d make a very good co-pilot!
Heh. Your words about being a good co-pilot warm my soul. Thank you!
You are so right. I like to travel but know I can’t afford everywhere, and with some places I look at picutres and that is enough for me. As you say it does make a big difference with whom you travelling, and evne close places are heaven with the right people. Being loved and you are in the right place.
Love to catch you in my arms… come on jump!
Pictures are worth a thousand words as the great and powerful “they” say. I agree with you – though there are many great things to see in the world, we need not see them all if we see the less fantastical things with those we love. Consider me jumping into your arms…right…now!
Lots of love,
Wiles
That is the best trick ever, Wiles! You are very clever to train your humans to catch you. And don’t worry about waiting at home. You’re spirit is with your family no matter where they go. You’re in their hearts!
Love and licks and that’s what Mom tells me when I wait at home,
Cupcake
You are so right, dear Cupcake. I learn from you every day. Thank you for being a constant source of all things good in life.
Wiles