Recently, I sent an email to a long lost friend whom I wished to reconnect. I asked if she would like to spend a few hours and attend the Science and History museum with me one day this summer. She wrote back and explained that she did not have time to cultivate a friendship with me. She said she was sorry for being so harsh;  wished me well and hoped great things happened to me. I wrote her back and told her not to feel sorry, that I was comfortable in my skin and that I would never think her harsh. I told her great things happen everyday.

Later, when looking for a new book to begin, my hand stopped at ‘The Power of a Woman’;Timeless Thoughts On A Woman’s Inner Strengths, Edited by Janet Mills. Today I need some words to reflect my inner thoughts and feelings about love and peace; and the greatness that envelops me each day, I need someone else’s words to express my thoughts about ‘the power of love’. So, it is very fortuitous that my hand came to rest on this particular book today. Below are excerpts from the book.

“Within the smallest grain of sand there is love, joy, history, romance and hope…eternal life, in changing form…It is Love in all of its manifestations, holding form together, bonding our souls to this earth and to one another.”

“Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.”

- Mother Teresa

“I seldom think of my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps there is just a touch of yearning at times; but it is vague, like a breeze among flowers.”

- Helen Keller

I think of my long lost friend with the same ‘touch of yearning at times; it too is vague; ‘like a breeze among flowers’.

Peace

DEFINING WILDNESS AND HOWLING IN THE WILDERNESS

One evening, I went on a tiny journey with my canine Pieper: We ‘howled’ together and I watched as Pieper transformed. Her eyes got this untamed wildness in them. How exciting to see and hear the wildness in her. I felt pretty wild myself and wonder about this wildness. What does ‘wildness’ mean? Mariam Webster says to be ‘wild’ is: uncontrolled, unruly, stormy, fantastic, sensational and barbaric.

WHAT LURKS IN THE WILD?

Hmm, I do understand Webster’s perspective; however, what lurks in the ‘wild’ sometimes defies definition. I read about a cat named Oscar in a Providence, R.I. nursing home that has a sixth sense: Oscar can predict when a resident is about to pass away. Pets have extraordinary healing power. Our canines have the ability to know when someone is sick or dying, they sense our emotions. These areas of the ‘wild’ are more difficult to measure and define. I believe we have only scratched the surface of the secrets animals and nature hold.

A HOWLING MOMENT

Something came over me in that ‘howling moment’ with Pieper. I experienced an unusual connection; I felt we were as one in the universe. This isn’t the first time I’ve howled, just the first time I’ve talked about doing so. Try it; it’s an exhilarating experience and is sure to bring laughter and an insight not often experienced.

WHO’S IN CONTROL?

I’ve come to realize that if I want to write about what makes a dog happy, I need to watch and listen more closely to what influences Pieper’s behavior. One of Pieper’s most favorite games is fetching a ball. Fetching is the easy part. The game really begins when she brings the ball back. She lays it in front of me, as if she wants me to take it. Then, when I reach for it she quickly picks it up. I’ve decided this is dominance behavior. It’s her way of having control. Which is contrary to the norm. I’m usually the one in control and Alpha.

The story does not end here. understanding 130,000 years of human and dog relationship takes more than a few blog posts.

Step into the wild! Stay tuned!

Happy Trails!