FOLLOW YOUR DOG

(The Laurentians 2010)

It's 1AM, I can't sleep and neither can my dog so I grab a headlight and we go out into the night.

He leads me along a wooded path covered in memories of paw prints and explorations with dogs of past and present. 

We are surrounded by giant pines and we can hear the whisper of everything that is alive and dancing through the forest.

We find a spot unobstructed by trees where we can sit and take in the starry, country sky. 

A deep, warm silhouette of colours and shapes waltz their way across the canvas and every now and then a star loses its grip and falls. 

I feel a wave of emotion come over me. I wonder where stars learn to twinkle and why some fall while the others stay in place.
   
I hold my dog close and kiss his head. I hold him never wanting to let go because my love for him is so great and our time together so brief.

As we head back toward the house, he nudges my hand with his head, barks and gestures. Suddenly, we are startled by a  strobe of light racing across the sky. It reaches out and carries us for a slice of a second.

Shades of blue and purple, pink and orange join hands like a rainbow after a storm. The entire sky calls to us with a silent, soothing calmness.

I feel the presence of my dogs - all my boys - their spirits still very much alive, radiating like stars flowing in Rainbow Heaven.

I reach out to hug them and there within the warmth of their souls, I drift like a leaf in the wind never wanting to land.

Sleep well my boys and when I look up at the sky - remember to twinkle so I know you are there.

         

                                Buddy and Buster R.I.P. 2010

I AM YOUR DOG AND THIS IS WHAT I KNOW

I know you love me more than you love yourself.

I know that you think of me all day when you are at work and I am at home thinking about you.

I know you would skip a weeknight out because I have been alone all day and weeknights are for me and you.

I know that if I wait on the floor beneath your chair that sooner or later you will drop some food and I will grab it and gobble it down before you can take it away from me.

I know all of your pain and have counted all of your teardrops and I don't like anyone who has hurt you or anyone who may hurt you.

I know you made sacrifices when you rescued me and that you gave me a second chance.

I know that when you came to the shelter I noticed you right away and I wanted you to take me home and that you were concerned as to whether you would be the right parent for me. Just the same, you took me with you, rather than leaving me behind.

I know that I will be forever grateful for that and your most loyal, loving friend for as long as I live.

I know that I shed all over the place and you have to vacuum every day and wearing black is not a good idea even if you like to wear black.

WHISKEY WARHOL

I know that you like to see me first thing in the morning when you awake as much as I like to see you and I know that I wait for you to come home when you are away and it feels like a million years have passed and when you return it is quite simply the greatest thing ever.

I know that when you fill my Kong you fill it not only with cookies and cheese but with love.

I know that the day will come when we will have to part and that where I am going you cannot join me.

I know that I will watch over you and when you pass to the other side I will come and greet you if only for a moment to give you a kiss and thank you for the wonderful life you gave me and then I will return to Rainbow Bridge.

I know that one day we will find ourselves in another place and time. You will be walking along a long and winding country road amidst the fog and I will be there at the next turn and will run into your arms and you will hold me forever in a world where forever exists.

I know that I am in your heart and your soul as you are in mine and that our love began the moment you walked me out of that shelter into the fresh air and rays of the sun that I thought I may never feel again.

I know that you saved me and I know that I saved you.

And that is all I know.