dog & butterfly neckpiece.
The pendant features a sticker saved from the back of an envelope.
A thankyou note sent to me by a student after one of my workshops.
The image is from a painting entitled Golden Dreams by Sueellen Ross.
Each morning I have a ritual: wake and greet the day, cup of coffee, out the door for a walk.
Start in the shade, up my grassy gravel drive, crest the hill into full sun to gaze over the lake. Sometimes clear and bright. Sometimes smoky as the sun strikes the surface of the water and causes tendrils of mist to rise into the air.
Listen to the sounds around me...unseen crickets, bird song, the breeze whispers high in the leaves of the trees. Sun warm on my skin. Cool this morning with the promise of fall. Bittersweet end of summer.
A rustle of leaves in the woods behind me. Turn to look...no one there. Walk on. There it is again. I turn once more. It is Red-dog, a golden retriever, the campground mascot. Emerging from the shadows onto the road, he walks in the opposite direction.
I call to him, whistle. He doesn't hear. He is old, steps slow. This may be his last summer. I watch in silence for awhile as he wanders on, following the stripe in the deserted road. Turn and continue on my walk. I think of dogs I have known and loved and lost. Turn back again for another glimpse of him. He is gone.
I think of the book I am reading, The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. Written from a dogs perspective about his people. About living and loving and losing. The interconnection of souls. Taking risks. Racing. Sometimes in sunshine. Sometimes in shadow and rain. Together and apart yet not alone.
there is no dishonor in losing the race...there is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose
Garth Stein
