“Be kind whenever possible. 

It is always possible. “

– Dalai Lama 

Malakoff was a large newfoundland dog who lived in Paris and protected the store of a jeweler there.   There was an apprentice who worked for the jeweler who Malakoff didn’t like.  The feeling was mutual.  The apprentice decided to kill the big dog.

One day he led Malakoff to the River Seine and with the help of a few friends tied a heavy stone around the dog’s neck and pushed him into the turbulent waters.  The currents moved faster than Malakoff could swim.  The waters quickly overpowered him but he fiercely fought back.  It took incredible strength for him to stay afloat.  With his strong hefty frame, he somehow managed to get close to shore even with the extra weight of the heavy stone.  As he approached the calmer waters he heard sounds behind him and turned his head to see his attacker had fallen into the rushing water too!  The apprentice didn’t know how to swim and was going down fast gasping for air.

Malakoff swiftly turned around to swim back into the turbulence to try and help his attacker.  He strained against the fast moving waters – the heavy stone around his neck pulling him down with each stroke.  With great effort he reached the point where he last saw his attacker go down.  The man was able to reach up to grab hold of the dog’s fur and bring his head above the water.  Malakoff was too weak now to swim with the panicky man back to shore.  He powerfully treaded water with the struggling apprentice till rescue came for them both.

Once they were safely on shore the grateful apprentice begged for the dog’s forgiveness.  Word spread and Malakoff became a heroic legend throughout Paris.  When the dog died his funeral procession was lined with many apprentices who honored him as an inspiration of hope and valor.

This story of Malakoff is true.  He was a great teacher – most dogs are.  They aren’t Republican or Democrat and will gladly listen to and accept whatever your political leanings are.  They don’t judge you by the color of your skin or the money in your pocket.  If you give a dog some kindness, he’ll likely return it tenfold.  And as far as forgiveness goes, if only we all could turn the tide and be like Malakoff.  Every day in every way a dash of kindness sprinkled with forgiveness can surely go a dog-gone long way.