A Blue Great Dane Sighting

Earlier this week, I was doing a 7 kilometre walk as part of a virtual race I am completing along the “Flower Route” in the Netherlands, which runs from Haarlem to Naaldwijk.

Around the 6 kilometre mark, I decided to stop for an iced coffee given warm temperatures. In doing so, I promised myself that I would extend the walk to a large park nearby.

This park has a linear design. Its pathways wind past picnic areas, ballparks, basketball and tennis courts, ice rinks, playgrounds, and even outdoor ping pong tables. A popular dog park is located at its other end.

Typically, I will walk the full length of the park so that I might enjoy watching some dogs at play for a few moments before continuing on my way. During these pauses, I’ve hoped to come across a Blue Great Dane and its owner(s), however, this hadn’t occurred yet.

Why a Blue Great Dane, you ask?

Answer: I have a dissertation mascot who happens to be a Blue Great Dane.

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Her “pawrents” include one of my dissertation committee members, Professor Tricia Seifert, whose Instagram post appears above. As a result of online learning at a distance (across 3000+ kilometres and an international border), I’ve gotten to know this Blue Great Dane virtually. She loves to make appearances during Zoom meetings, sometimes to the chagrin of her humans given the breed’s tendency to slobber. I really enjoy this Blue Great Dane’s personality, demeanour, and ability to bring a smile to virtually everyone in a Zoom meeting room (pun intended). Given her height, she can easily pop into any conversation!

Knowing I am interested in having a dog of my own post-graduation (exact type to be determined), Tricia invited me to somewhat adopt their dog in the interim as a “dissertation mascot”.

The “mascot” has a tendency to send encouraging words and updates from time to time with their human’s assistance, which always brings a smile to my studies. This pup has gained somewhat of a fan following among students; for example, I’m often asked if there have been any “mascot updates” of late.

Anyways, back to the story of what happened in the park the other day.

In light of the heat and distance already walked, I told myself that I wouldn’t go as far as the dog park that day. After all, it wasn’t like a Blue Great Dane and its owner(s) would be hanging out there. I hadn't come across a Blue Great Dane during my regular walks in the park, let alone at any point when navigating the city.

You already know what happens next…

As I was thinking these thoughts, I looked up… and walking towards me with its owner (or perhaps dog walker)…

You guessed it. A Blue Great Dane. With an uncanny resemblance to my dissertation mascot. My jaw literally dropped!

I briefly complimented the dog as we passed each other. I then found myself reflecting on this strange coincidence. I recall thinking:

“What just happened there?”

“Was that supposed to be some kind of sign?”

“Am I supposed to make meaning of this?”

You never know when you might encounter your own personal equivalent of a “Blue Great Dane”.

I realized I had subconsciously concluded that “there mustn’t be any Blue Great Danes in our neighbourhood” as I had never encountered one. This led to the assumption that if I cut my walk short of the dog park, I was unlikely to miss an opportunity to say hello to a Blue Great Dane and its owner(s).

An assumption debunked by a Blue Great Dane and its owner unexpectedly walking towards me!

The reality: nothing differentiated that day from those when I hadn’t encountered a Blue Great Dane. The potential (random) chance remained virtually the same.

The difference: a change in my perception of the chances.

My recent Blue Great Dane encounter reminded me that negativity in our assumptions, thought processes, and outlooks- even if well-intentioned as a form of self-protection- such negativity might not serve us well. It might instead limit our ability to access and experience desired opportunities and outcomes, particularly where elements of serendipity are involved.

It's important to keep our assumptions in check.

How does this story resonate for you?

For example:

Can you think of any instances when you’ve done the metaphorical equivalent of cutting your walk short of the dog park, under the assumption that the chance of a desirable outcome materializing was slim to none?

To what degree did your assumptions and thought processes serve you in those moments? Might they have limited you in any way(s)?

On the flip side, can you think of instances where persistence- despite a lack of guaranteed outcome- enabled you to experience (possibly serendipitous) opportunities well-aligned with your life goals and desires?

We each have to take a chance to have a chance. If it makes sense for you to do so, keep walking towards your own equivalent of the dog park. You never know when a “Blue Great Dane” might serendipitously appear.