Somewhere in the combination of new carpets, a 10 mile run in the cold and wind with just a short sleeve shirt and the forgetting to take astragalus (we have a winner here), I came down with a nasty viral lung infection. First time in nearly 10 years thanks to a strong immune system. The one “problem” when you have a strong immune system is that when you do get sick, you really get sick. As in REALLY get it.  Those who get the colds or sore throats or relatively minor things but get them  every other month or every 3rd month are the ones who need to be concerned.

The worst part about this is trying to sleep. I cannot lay down in normal fashion but need to sleep in a sitting, 90 degree angle position. (Somewhere in the back on my brain, a Chevy Chase National Lampoon Movie is playing with the image of the grandma on the roof of the car at 90 degrees.) Even that is not a fool proof method as 2 nights ago proved.

It was around midnight and despite my 90 degree angle approach, I was on a non stop coughing spree with no end in sight. Then something strange happened. Our dog Lightning sauntered into the room, climbed up the comforter and nuggled on my chest. Within 3 minutes, my coughing stopped. Now let me pause here for a minute.

Lightning is a dog with very clear and distinct patterns and habits. Lisa is “mommy” to him. He looks to her for comfort, gentleness and gentle yin nurturing. He also provides those to her as well. Equal exchange. Lightning is also Lisa’s protector. Lord help the person who would dare even think of physically harming her.

On the other hand, I am Lightning’s personal body guard. He depends upon me to protect him from overly aggressive dogs at the dog park, large trucks, fireworks and other loud noises. I am also his play buddy whereby he pits his “dog-fu” against my jujitsu in a human/canine ultimate fighting bout of sorts. He loves to be pet from everyone, but generally does not look to me for comforting. Now back to the story. . . .

This pattern of coughing spells followed by Lightning snuggling on my chest happened three times. Once may have been a coincidence. Three is a pattern. Each time the end result was yours truly being finally being visited by the sandman. And if this was not touching enough, each time I would awaken for a moment, Lighting was wide awake, standing guard so to speak. I recall the last time being awaken around 3:30 by the bright light of a full moon. It was as it Mother Nature was shining a spot light on this to be used as a training film for future earthly inhabitants.

It was also one of the most touching experiences I have ever been around.

Why would his actions stop coughing? The short answer is energy exchange. We see this constantly with older folks or heart patients. When one person is a little weak, they will “borrow” energy from the person next to them. When the person walks away, they start to cough or need to sit down.  Such exchanges are even part of our vocabulary. Terms like “good vibes” or on the other side, “energy vampire” are true, measurable statements of how interconnected everything truly is. Dogs of course, included.

In my 45 years on this beautiful planet, I have earned degrees, diplomas,  certificates, awards, rankings and honors. I have spoken to the world’s leading authority on microscopy and cancer research, dined with a National Academy of Science memberand also with a  colleague of Albert Einstein, treated an astronaut, an Olympic champion and billionaire shipping mogul among others. I have had the priviledge of learning from the best of the best from all over the world,  many times. With this background in mind, thinking about the action of my 40 pound fuzzy friend, I have drawn one unmistakable conclusion:    I have learned a lot of “stuff” yet know virtually nothing.