Picnic

The picnic is the perfect thing. It begins with an idea. The idea causes bustling about in the cupboards and fridge. There is increased chatter with questions and exclamations. The talk of foods; savoury and sweet, crisp and creamy, steaming hot and chilled. The feast takes shape and is ready to move.

The picnic is the perfect thing. It is conducted outdoors. A site must be selected and arranged for comfort. There is viewing and discussion, disagreement and compromise. To be considered; sun and shadow, breeze and calm, birdsong and streamsong. The setting for the feast is chosen.

The picnic is the perfect thing. It is made for sharing. The company consists of those who are important and can appreciate the special event that is a picnic; those who love a little pickle in a sandwich, a crumbly piece of cake and are not bothered by a tiny bug in the iced tea.

Cheers! dear reader, may all your picnics be divine.

Why?

I have asked myself why. Why don't humans nap more often? Why don't I eat cookies exclusivley? Why do I have to bath? Why do I have to stay home?

As a pup, I have lots of questions. I also have a few answers, especially about those with 2 legs. No matter how hard they try, humans will never be pups. They just can't seem to get it right. They never know when a game of fetch is over. They never understand when to nap. They can't shake and stretch with abandon. They are poor at chewing and they almost never like a belly rub.

My adivce to humans-be happy as humans and leave the canine life to us pups. I know they will not be content with this, however. They will attempt, with the best and most loving of intentions, to make pups into humans. It is not amusing.

I am not a human.

My Friend Winter

My friend winter has delivered some gifts.

Pure, fresh snow,

brilliant crystals of ice

true blue skies,

silence.

Snow that muffles and cushions,

ice to sharpen and focus,

blue to blanket

my sanctuary.
Thank you, my friend.

Signs of My Place

How do I know where I belong?

Not here

This tells me I'm close



This is my neighbourhood



My creek sings a welcome song.





The forest gets all dressed up when I'm near



I know where I belong.

Changing Path

The path changes day by day

straight through wonders

screeching around sharp corners of worry

hesitating in a forest of doubt

slowly stalking the years

encountering others

stretching out into some future

wide open to possibility.

Cliff Walk

Enderby Cliffs Provincial Park
7 km up, way up
2 paws up

A shady trail with squirrels and chipmunks, lots of pups with their long legged humans. There is no water so be sure your humans pack extra for you. You'll get thirsty here. Bring a leash, you may be tempted to explore the edge of the cliff!

Change

There is a change going on around me. I sense it in my paws and with my nose. There are less lazy hours relaxing on the deck, fewer campfires and bar-b-ques, and less bugs sucking my blood. There are more hours getting firewood for the woodstove, more chilly mornings of frost and soup is back on the menu. My fur is thick and shaggy, collecting up dried seeds and grass and dust. It's another beautiful season for me to explore and enjoy. I am Thankful.