That's the sad true story about what this blog is all about. A tiny canine jumps into a river, simple as that.

One of my regular postal customers, Jennifer, shared this story with me today. She knows that I own a chihuahua named Diablo. Her chi is named Yoda. When you live alone, dogs are comforting roommates that give you unconditional love. They are always happy to see you come home from work. And if there are really no dogs in heaven, then I want to go where they descend to when I die.

We all have our motivations for working with the "World's Largest Federally Mental Institute" on Earth. Some love the money, some want to compete with their co-workers :( , some want to please their PM as their best bud :(( , my true motivation is my regular customers - I really do love these people - they are real, they get no bonus for buying stamps, and I love their real life stories.

One of my regular customers, Jennifer (last name withheld) is in the same spot in life as I am. Mid 30s, single, formerly engaged and does not want her heart barbecued on high heat to be eaten by the maggots of humanity. Where we differ as that she met a guy named Ben and they had been dating off and on for two years. But Jennifer  has had a hard time committing to anyone - because when you have been hurt over and over - it is just hard to trust anyone no matter how much they smile or what good words they say to you. Salespeople and presidential candidates do the same thing.

Jennifer told me that last week she went with her boyfriend Ben and her little chihuahua Yoda on a stroll through Buffalo Creek. This creek is a typical Colorado creek outside of Denver with a thick mountain evergreen forest and flourescent columbines lining the trail even on cold February days. Jennifer and Ben were calmly holding hands and walking when she noticed that Yoda had disappeared. She said she wondering if he got lost or if he had fallen into the creek unnoticed.

Jennifer and Ben kept looking for Yoda when Ben put his arm around her in a reassuring manner telling Jennifer that they would find him. Around that time, they both saw a badger making a hissing sound. Then both of them heard a whining sound - it was Yoda, only his tiny head was poking out of the creek. Apparently, Yoda was scared of the badger and took a blinding leap into the creek. But, suddenly, Yoda's paws started paddling wildly towards the creekside with his pink tongue hanging out. Yoda made his way to shore and started jumping and licking Jennifer and Ben.

Jennifer told me that there was a lesson for her in this adventure. Even when this tiny dog was scared for his life - he made a fearless leap. Fearless because he trusted Jennifer. Trust cancels fear. Jennifer told me that she should give Ben a chance. It was her time in life to take her own fearless leap.

Her lesson is my own lesson. I learned something from a customer in my own line today - I need to take my own fearless leap and leave the past as history. A broken heart is like a broken mirror. It is better to leave it broken than hurt yourself trying to fix it.