A dreary day here in mid-Maine. And yet...the air is cool and moist and healthy feeling. Birds are happily singing as usual. A damp gray morning has a quiet peace of its own.
It seemed like a good day to pay tribute once again to my fine furry friends. Capturing all three, staying still and outdoors, was a bit of a feat, but I managed one decent shot. You can tell where each one's attentions are directed. As usual, Kate the sheprador is all about the one who can throw a stick. The others have better things to do.
Merle's Door is one of the best dog books I've read. I might have mentioned it before. The thing that sticks with me was the nature of the relationship between owner and dog. It was not really master and servant. There was give and take in their relationship, and I like that paradigm for dog-human interactions.
Of course we have to keep them safe and abide by laws, and to a certain extent some social constraints of common courtesy are nice. But within that there is room for acknowledging the desires and instincts of one's canine friend. It's fun when they do tricks - but if they're not in the mood, that's okay. When I have Guster on a leash so he won't wake up the neighborhood barking, he has to stop now and then so I can take a picture, or look for a bird. It seems fair that I should stop for him now and then too, when he wants to sniff something.
J. was commenting last night how strange it seems sometimes that we have these four legged beasts milling about in our human home. I know what he means. They are definitely odd houseguests with unusual habits. But - they are dear, loving, loyal, funny, forgiving, entertaining, protective, and add a wonderful twist to life. And a unique perspective that could come from no human.
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