Bomb Dogs

I have always been strangely fascinated by bomb dogs. These creatures, full of energy and a desire to please, are trained to sniff out "live" bombs. Yet when duty calls they do not know they are trying to find a contraption that potentially could kill it. They are unaware of the danger they are running toward. Their trainers do, of course. The folks who have fled the scene to avoid being in harm's way know it. But the bomb dog is totally clueless. Their singular focus is to please their master by finding this "thing." The dog does not care if it is a chew toy or pair of fancy sneakers. It is all about pleasing the master.

So, one might ask, does such a slice of reality have to do with communication? Perhaps it points to the actions one takes when they are not given all information. People do not always make the best choices when misled or deceived. Would bomb dogs be bomb dogs if they actually knew or understood what it was they were supposed to be looking for? My guess is probably not. Would people make certain relationship choices if their prospective partner was straight forward and did not gloss over their "baggage?" Would voters vote the way they do if their candidate of choice was honest?

All of us like to think we make good choices because we are well informed. We like to think we do what we do because we know all that we need to know about a particular issue or person. Perhaps that is the case some time. But there is no denying that is not completely the case. We are subject to deception at times. Given that reality, it makes sense to be skeptical about what others swear is true. It also points to our responsibility to be in-charge of our own lives and the choices we make. Be open. Be a good listener. Be prepared to confirm that is presented to us. Do not be like the bomb dog that blindly accepts what it is told.