The word "trooper" has a number of meanings, but when it's used to describe a person, it often connotes a sense of resilience and perseverance. In other words, a trooper is someone who endures, who presses on through difficulty, and who refuses to give up even in the face of adversity.
There are a number of reasons why this particular definition of the word has gained such currency over the years. For one thing, it speaks to a quality that is widely admired in our society: the ability to persist in the face of hardship. Stories of perseverance and resilience serves as examples of the best of the human spirit, so it’s only fitting we have a moniker to put a name to those traits.
But there's something else about the word "trooper" that captures our imagination, and it has to do with the way that it conjures up images of bravery and courage. When we think of a trooper, we might imagine a soldier on the front lines of battle, holding the line against enemy fire. Or we might picture a police officer or firefighter rushing into danger to protect others. In each of these scenarios, the trooper is someone who is putting their own safety at risk in order to serve a higher cause.
Of course, not every trooper is a literal soldier or first responder. The word can be applied to anyone who persists in the face of adversity, whether that's a student who keeps studying to achieve a goal even when the material is difficult, a parent who keeps going to provide for their family even when they're exhausted, or an athlete who pushes for one more set in the gym, knowing that the additional effort will show in the field when game day comes.
What all of these people have in common is a kind of dogged determination—a refusal to give up in the face of obstacles. They may not necessarily be performing heroic feats of bravery (though some certainly do), but they are demonstrating a kind of everyday courage that is just as valuable. And when we call someone a "trooper," we are acknowledging and celebrating that quality.
There is also something inherently uncomplaining about the idea of a trooper. This is not to say that troopers never express frustration or disappointment; of course they do. But there is a sense that troopers accept their lot in life and keep moving forward, even when things are tough. They don't waste time bemoaning their circumstances or blaming others for their problems. Instead, they focus on what they can control and work to make the best of it.
There is a quiet strength in simply enduring, in refusing to be defeated by the challenges of life. However, it's worth noting that there can be a downside to the idea of a trooper. Sometimes, when we valorize persistence above all else, we can end up overlooking the real costs of that persistence. We may demand that people keep pushing themselves even when they are exhausted or burned out, or we may expect them to sacrifice their health or well-being in the pursuit of a goal.
So it’s challenging—but necessary—to know the difference between pushing through adversity and persevering to the point of failure when there may have been another way. While the idea of a trooper is certainly admirable, it's important to remember that it's not the only way to be strong. Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is admit we need help—and ask for it. Sometimes, the wisest thing we can do is step back and take a break. And sometimes, the most valuable thing we can do is let go of our attachment to a particular outcome, chalk it up to a lesson learned, and start rowing in a brighter direction.
So what does any of this have to do with dogs? It turns out, quite a bit. One of the reasons we love dogs so much is for their unwavering companionship. They are always there, and they are always ready with a wagging tail and a hopeful look. When they have a job to do, they finish it—whether that’s pulling a sled in the wilds of Alaska, seeking out survivors in earthquake rubble, or simply sitting in silence and nuzzling an owner who’s going through a rough time. There’s an old Latin saying "Amicus fidelis protectio fortis" which translates to "A faithful friend is a strong protection." In the end, this is what it means to us to be a trooper. Because while anyone can work hard in pursuit of a goal (and not all goals are inherently in service of others) a real trooper is driven by the same loyalty and protective instincts that we prize so highly in dogs. And that we can learn from them every day.
