Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Buddy Consorts with Martha and Agnes


This morning, shortly after commenting to Grethe (Thyra) that Buddy had not yet chewed my maps and guidebooks, I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. While I was doing so, Buddy was apparently busy checking out the notebooks on top of  the table. I had not yet realized he could see the top of it and, well, while the cat's away the mice will play.


When I came back out to the living room he knew his goose was cooked. He led me on a chase with a piece of paper in his mouth. I had not yet been able to discern which piece of paper, but from the looks of the notebooks scattered on the floor, I knew I wanted it back in one piece. He ran behind the chair thinking it might be a good spot to get out of Ma's reach. When that didn't work out according to plan, he made a mad dash for the couch. From there, he jumped on top of the ottoman, a sort of King's X, he likes to think. King's X, as if.


As I got within reach, back behind the chair he went where he dropped the piece of paper and then made a quick retreat to the kitchen. He now lies under the kitchen table pretending to be asleep. No curtain call for him. He's probably familiar with the adage "let sleeping dogs lie." 

Anyway, this was on the piece of paper he found most inspiring:

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And, if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how valuable it is; nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate YOU.

~ Martha Graham to Agnes DeMille

A regular Baryshnikov he is, that Buddy. He clearly knows what the urges are, even if he's not always aware of the motivation. And, it's impossible to stay mad at him for more than a second or two. Besides, I rather like having a dog that's well-read. Even if he leaves the pages a bit, uh, dog-toothed.








27 comments:

  1. Buddy chose a very nice quote. It reminds me of when the grandkids were little and we kept moving things to higher surfaces. At some point nothing is safe!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ah, you gotta love him!
    Dogs are so funny, and well, Buddy seems to have a mom who is also quite funny.
    I like the quote about keeping our vitality or life force open to what motivates us. No shoulds or should nots. And so Buddy's force must have told him to remind you of this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nancy, Yes, the lower shelves keep getting cleared. He's growing faster than I can keep up with him.



    Towanda, That crossed my mind, too. Something there I needed to be reminded of and he is an angel in fur.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Duck! Yes, a golden-haired muse! His fuzziness brings me clarity.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like a well-read dog.
    Mine unfortunately only reads the signs other dogs have left behind.

    He is quite happy to lie on newspapers spread out to read. Don't suppose that can be called 'well-read'.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I don't know, Friko. Maybe he's really good at speed reading and comprehension. Never shortchange your dog. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is so funny, Teresa. I'm still chuckling.
    I can see him sleeping with one eye open under the kitchen table, and I'm sure you are right when you know his (desperate or cunning?) thoughts: "Let a sleeping dog lie!" Isn't it strange that a dog knows exactly when he has done something wrong. But he also knows how to handle it afterwards. He knows that Ma cannot resist his charm!!
    Buddy, you are bad! But now you are "well-read"! That's what they think! Prove it!!
    Wruff!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Grethe, Now I am laughing. Love your response. He knows immediately when he's done something wrong and when I show up, he's "in the dog house." He's very good with the theatrically exaggerated sad eyes. Charmer. Love him more every day. And that's a lot.

    Buddy sends his regards.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, well, Buddy picked a very good quote to gnaw on and hen knew where to hide.

    ReplyDelete
  10. My dog, who was originally named Homer but was later on called Rat, pulled a similar stunt when he carried off one of my epistles to my beloved, Essie Marie, which read, "Essie Marie, meet me at the usual place at eight.." My wife, who was not named Essie Marie, found the letter by the wood pile while she was laying in a cord or two for the winter. She moved on down the line after taking everything I owned but, as a final act of kindness, she insisted I keep Homer (Rat) to remind me of the good old days. Hee Hee Hee

    ReplyDelete
  11. Penny, He knows where the safe zone is. And uses it frequently.




    Cletis, You dawg. I wondered what happened to you. I trust she got that wood laid in. Give old Rat a hug for me. He knew what he was doing. Saved my life, he did.

    Hee hee hee

    Signed,
    Essie Marie

    ReplyDelete
  12. Martha was certainly all about movement. Nice of you and Buddy to choreograph a little modern piece in her memory. No doubt she would have loved that buddy and the letter ended up on the floor for the finale.

    That letter to Agnes has been one of my favorites. Martha was strong, in so many ways. She brought a whole new level of excitement to dancing for me...back before the earth cooled.

    Thanks for the good laugh. Buddy is quite the entertainer.
    Hugs,
    Chris

    ReplyDelete
  13. haha. Cute!
    I don't have a dog, but I do have an 18 month old grandson, who likes to investigate and examine my stuff. Good thing about Rylan is that when I tell him to put it back or don't touch, he obeys.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Chris, LOL. Ah yes, my own modern dance days were a hundred million years ago, it seems. I've always admired dancers with such discipline and passion. It's a good thing I'm not required to put on a black leotard and tights these days. And then suddenly have to run to Wal-mart.




    gigihawaii, Not unlike grandkids, but they do listen better. He and I are working on it, but have a ways to go.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Buddy wasn't being naughty, he was just perusing his choices for his life work. Dogs do that all the time. :)
    Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck

    ReplyDelete
  16. Manzi, I think he crossed modern dance off his list, but I'm not certain. So far, he's also tried out gardener and hole-digger. Summer break is almost over and he's going to have to get serious about what he wants to do with his life. :)

    Thanks for stopping over.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Buddy you bad boy
    What have you done to your Mom ?
    Have a doggie bone.

    ReplyDelete
  18. A dog, a reader, and - if his choice of reading is anything to go by - a pretty decent critic as well. I'm sat here waiting for our own dog to come home after staying with friends whilst we were in Spain. Can't wait - whatever they do you just have to love them.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Paul, Thank you for introducing Buddy to Haiku. He's deeply appreciative.



    Alan, I love the roof top photo you posted today. Sounds like a great time. Now, I have that Three
    Dog Night song running through my head, " Have you Ever Been to Spa-ain..."

    Yes, Buddy's has cultcha. I can imagine how much you're looking forward to seeing yours again. It's hard to be without them, even when they're naughty.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ahhh -- Buddy. A typical young dog's escapade. Better than chewing good rugs. He is so sweet looking I can see why you can't be mad at him for only a second or two. -- barbara

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sweet Buddy... you do keep Teresa on her toes. I like your choice of reading material but you may have to tone it down a bit on the notebooks.
    Be a good boy...

    ReplyDelete
  22. Barbara, Thanks for reading and commenting. Actually, his rug phase passed a couple months ago. I think. Nothing expensive, but I really liked that rug. It taught me that nothing is safe. He is a sweetie.




    farmlady, Maybe Buddy thought he'd had enough of those darn notebooks, too. They take up entirely too much of Ma's time. Thank you for encouraging him to be a good boy. I believe the last couple of days have shown marked improvement.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The love between you and your well-read dog delightfully shines through! I love my sometimes naughty cat, too, so I loved getting a glimpse of Buddy's antics. He is obviously better read than I, not having been reacquainted (since high school) with literature until I went to college at 48 years old. I devour the art and the many quotes on your blog. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Rita, It's a match made in heaven, I do believe. He's a very good teacher, too. So glad you like the art and quotes.

    ReplyDelete
  25. We who are so lucky have found nothing in this big wide world to measure up to the love we receive from our beloved dogs. When mine are chewing on "Whatever", I see contentment...their's, not mine. Lucy just finished munching out on my driver's license! I do hope the plastic covering doesn't clog her up too badly. :>( Enjoyed your reading as usual, girl. Give me more!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good Morning, Sissy! I'm so glad you enjoyed this post. Yes, what would we do without our beloved furry friends. They make life complete.

      Delete