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This is Fruitycake. Here in this Italy place, I have noticed something about tourists and stop signs. Many of them do not seem to understand that “STOP” means stop. They treat it more like a suggestion. Perhaps they think it means, “Slow down a little if you feel like it, admire the scenery and then keep going because you are on vacation.” But I am quite certain that is not what it means.

Stop signs are there for a reason. They tell us that something could be coming that we cannot see yet. They remind us to pause, look in every direction and make sure the way ahead is safe. Even a dog knows that you cannot charge forward without paying attention—unless there is pizza involved. Then I admit that all common sense may be temporarily forgotten.

There is a taxi stop nearby where the drivers pull over, stand together and drink their espresso. They talk with their hands, laugh loudly and discuss what I assume are very important taxi matters. Perhaps they compare the tourists who do not understand stop signs. Perhaps they debate which place makes the best espresso. Or perhaps they are discussing me. That would make the most sense.

Whenever I walk past, their conversation stops. One driver notices me, then another, and soon several taxi drivers are leaning down to pet me. “Ciao!” they say. “Bellissimo!” I understand this to mean that I am handsome and should probably have my own taxi.

I stand there enjoying the attention while they scratch my ears and tell me what a good dog I am. But I also try to communicate something very important with my eyes: Since you are taxi drivers and I am clearly your favorite customer, could one of you please drive me to get a pizza?

I do not know exactly where the best pizza is, but that is why I need a professional driver. I would climb into the back seat, sit up very straight and tell the driver, “Follow that smell.” We would pass every stop sign responsibly, of course. Then we would arrive at a place where one entire pizza would be placed in front of me because this is Italy and pizzas are not meant to be shared.

The only problem is the tip. How is a dog supposed to tip a taxi driver? I do not have any money. I do not even have pockets. I could leave a little fur on the seat, but Girl Person says that does not count as a tip. I could offer a kiss, a paw shake or perhaps one small piece of pizza crust—but let us be realistic. If I finally get a taxi ride to pizza, I am not giving away the crust.

Maybe the drivers already know that my company is the tip. After all, they stop their conversations just to pet me. A few moments with Fruitycake must be worth at least the cost of the ride. I will continue working on this arrangement.

We persons and dogs have our own stop signs too, although they are not always red and standing beside a road. Sometimes a stop sign is exhaustion. Sometimes it is disappointment, fear, grief or a problem that has fallen directly across the path we planned to take. It tells us that we cannot keep going in exactly the same way. We need to stop long enough to see what is in front of us and decide what needs to happen next.

But stopping does not always mean that the journey is over.

After the recent storms here at the rustico, trees fell across some of the trails. Those trees were real stop signs. They were too large to step over and too tangled to walk around safely. The persons had to stop, bring out the tools and begin clearing the way. Branch by branch, the obstacles were cut apart and moved. It was difficult work, and the trail did not become clear all at once. But eventually, there was a way forward again.

Maybe that is how some of the biggest obstacles in life have to be handled. We stop. We look carefully at what has fallen in our way. Then we begin with one branch, one worry or one small decision. We do not have to clear the entire trail in one day. We only have to start making enough room for the next step.

Sometimes a stop sign protects us from danger. Sometimes it shows us what needs to be cleared away. And sometimes it gives a group of taxi drivers enough time to put down their espresso, stop their conversation and pet a passing rescue dog.

Those are the stop signs we should never ignore—the ones that tell us to notice someone, enjoy a small moment or let ourselves be loved. Life cannot be only about reaching the next destination. Sometimes the best part of the journey happens when we pull over, drink the espresso and pet the dog.

So today, if you find a stop sign in your life, do not be afraid of it. Stop long enough to breathe. Look at what is in your way. Decide whether it needs to be removed—or whether it is inviting you to notice something wonderful that you have been rushing past.

Then, when the way is safe and your heart is ready, keep going. A stop sign is a pause. It is not a place where you are meant to live forever.

Today’s Affirmation

I will stop when I need to stop, breathe and look carefully at what is in my way. I will clear my path one small branch at a time. I will notice the good moments waiting beside the road. And when I am ready, I will move forward again.

Now please look both ways, persons. And if you are a taxi driver who accepts ear scratches as payment, I am ready to go to pizza.

Fruitycake

P.S. Fruitycake’s September Affirmations Workbook for Dogs and People is now available! It is filled with daily encouragement, activities and a certificate to help you and your dog move into September together with more happiness and purpose. Your purchase also helps us raise the money needed for our upcoming in-person rescue visit for 2 Traveling Dogs.

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