The annual August test of the Big Sky Tracking Dog Club of Montana happened yesterday on the campus of the University of Montana.
I was a tracklayer and so I spent both Saturday and Sunday mornings with my tracking tribe. Although those of us who were there have differences, we come together over a shared love of dogs and tracking to form a community.
It is so wonderful to be reminded that we fit in these human niches, whatever they are. Humans, no matter how introverted, are social by nature — it is how we survive. The pandemic has interrupted so many of our connection points, and while certainly there is value in pruning away some of those pre-pandemic demands, we still need connection.
I am trying to find balance between connections and safety given the Covid surge, and it is tough. Just trying to navigate this takes Little Soldiers, doesn’t it?
I wonder if one reason that masks have become a bit of a tribal identity symbol (understatement alert) is simply because the pandemic has made us so desperate for connection.
I am definitely in the Masked Tribe.
Too bad we cannot all be connected by a shared sense of love and responsibility to — and for — each other.
Animals like their tribes as well. I imagine it is not easy to live in a world where the language, culture, customs, expectations are all so different than our hard wiring. When you are the only one like you — how hard would that be?
There is comfort in likeness. Familiarity feels like home.
Can you tell which is Pozy and which is Capella?
We all need that — even in a pandemic. We just need to do it safely so that our tribes survive.
You matter. Stay safe. And have a terrific day.
