Good morning, everyone. When I first woke this morning I felt led to read excerpts from Mary Oliver's book, Dog Songs, her paean to dogs and all they offer us. My pal, Buddy, has taught me so much about living life fully, how it is to be in love with life itself. As I have often said before, he is one fine companion. I had a feeling, as I read, it was going to lead me back here. I'm very glad it has. I'd like to share an excerpt that especially spoke to me on this cold but beautiful late November morning ...
"I want to extol not the sweetness nor the placidity of the dog, but the wilderness out of which he cannot step entirely, and from which we benefit. For wilderness is our first home too, and in our wild ride into modernity with all its concerns and problems we need also the good attachments of that origin that we keep or restore. Dog is one of the messengers of that rich and still magical first world. The dog would remind us of the pleasures of the body with its graceful physicality, and the acuity and rapture of the senses, and the beauty of the forest and ocean and rain and our own breath. There is not a dog that romps and runs but we learn from him."
~ Mary Oliver, Dog Songs
Wherever you are, I hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday morning.
I agree although need to say pooches are a wee bit different here and are treated as such. The ones whose purpose in life is to romp in the garbage I shy away from. Seldom even touch a dog except for a scratch on the head.
ReplyDeleteHave been bad scared and accosted way too many times at home in Colorado. Not here they don't care about you and I'm fine with that.
One of the landlords dogs Tosquito will do anything for me but he is a tick magnet.
For sure Buddy is a special dog.
well, I sure do love him to bits ... :)
DeleteSo glad your path led back here, via Buddy and Mary Oliver. It's interesting how paths can wander right back to where we need to be. Wonderful read in the mid afternoon here.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Penny. So good to hear from you ... :)
DeleteJust so nice to see you! My first dog taught me all about unconditional love. She was the only real love and affection I had growing up. I'll never for get her but, truth be told, I am actually more of a cat person. ;) Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much ! I always was more of a cat person until Buddy ... he changed things .. but I do still love my kitties ... I trust Karma is doing well ... :)
DeleteI had a very nice Thanksgiving, both boys were here, it was a really good day ... I hope yours was, as well ...
Mary Oliver is always a gift, but especially when she reminds us about our world, our friends, our companions. It's always nice to see you show up in my Reader. It seems like it's been a long time. Welcome back. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jan. it's good to be back among such fine friends ... I've missed you all ... this is so nice ... Mary Oliver seems like a good place to begin again ... thanks so much for commenting. :)
DeleteYou have a wonderful pal there! Our lives would not be as rich without them!
ReplyDeleteThey certainly would not ... Thank you, Terry.
DeleteI loved this post. Dogs are truly carrying a message from a past we have forgotten. Had sometimes thought of them like that but didn't have words for it. I do now. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Geo. I'm glad you like this passage as much as I ...
DeleteWhile I hardly was in the wilderness, I was disconnected from modernity in many ways this past week: no internet, no tv, no radio or newspapers. It was lovely, and once I got over the shock of it all, I spent some time thinking of how much we miss when we substitute blather for silence, and the virtual world for the real.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm delighted to find you here, with such an appropriate entry. It's the perfect way to begin reflecting on my time away, and besides: the cat's still mad at me, so I might as well read about Buddy.
That sounds like a wonderful time ... I would have an adjustment as well ... but what a good thing to experience.
DeleteThank you so much for this comment. I hope the cat gets over being miffed about your absence. :)
Wonderful post. The companionship of a dog is unique. I agree, they will teach us about living life!
ReplyDeleteHi Ray, What a nice surprise ... so good to see you here ... thank you for reading and for commenting. I haven't posted here in a while ... my poetry blog can be linked at the top on the side bar ... :)
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