I finally know what to do with my little collection of collars! What a beautifully written article - especially poignant now, in this cruel world we live in, except for the magical gift of dogs and souls like Isak. Thank you for this. It made a lovely start to my day.
I loved this story so much that I read it twice. Isak sounds like a kindered soul. Sometimes, people ask me if I'm a dog walker because I usually walk three dogs. I'll have to learn Isak's dance. If I'm not careful, I end up bound by leashes like a maypole. I hope Isak lasts till Celeste passes. I don't know how she'll cope without him.
Many years ago, when I bought my land, I had lots of dogs and a tame goat that also used a leash.. I used retractible leashes and learned to whirl and duck and do whatever was needed to keep them untangled. I could not just let the dogs run because I had horses and goats and the dogs had to be kept separate. I would sometimes see my neighbors watching and shaking their heads, sometimes laughing, but it was my property and I had the right to do what I wanted. I had to sell half of my land, because the county changed the tax status and backdated it 5 years. There was no way I could pay it. I miss those days sometimes, but now I have two dogs and 5 cats, and that is enough. (although I REALLY miss my goat, Ralph)
I can live without most humans but dogs i can’t live without . I have had many in my 77 years and each one helped me keep my sanity . Not one human saw the pain in my soul but my dog did and knew what I needed . I loved your article and that you met some special human and dogs.
I love this. I was typing a long comment, hit the wrong key, and I lost this. Oh my. You are a fantastic writer, and I love these themes. I need to run now. I will write a post on this theme later. Check out Envision Kindness, a fantastic American father and son effort. Check out the Charter for Compassion, the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford Medical school, the Compassion Institute, the Global Compassion Coalition and my tiny BeCompassionateNl.ca project. My neighbours are extraordinarily creative, compassionate kind and resilient. I aimed to share links with those seriously researching the science of altruism, compassion, and kindness. As a medical doctor, I love art and science and have spent over fifty years alleviating and finding meaning in suffering. I will chat and write more on this later.
My dogs have stood by me through having to leave a bad family, then a bad man and bad marriage, through an illness that left me unable to get up off the floor for hours at a time, my Buttercup and Ozzy laying at my feet with me as one by one, my friends disappeared. My illness and fragility scared them too much I guess it it was too much to deal with. I was loved by my dogs even when I smelled and was too weak to take a shower. I was loved when I was scared out of my mind totally alone to deal with something that almost broke my body. I was loved like no human has ever loved me. I have a rescue now and he’s trying to learn how to trust humans. We are learning to love each other despite a life that has given us a lot of disappointment. But please no pity. This is a love story full of hope and joy and play and being present in the moment to appreciate the trees and the sound of the wind or a new squeaky toy or tasty treat or the sun on my face. Our dogs have mastered unconditional love. They teach us to slow down and to remember to play and be silly and to get outside in nature and move our bodies. They love us despite all our human flaws. I would take a dog over most humans any day. Thanks for this story and grump Isaac and all his dogs.
Wow, love right back to you and your canine companion. Love conquers all as you so powerfully and wisely share. I would not have survived these past seventeen years without a series of fur angels. I have been blessed in thousands of ways, and I have also experienced the pain of loss, loneliness and illness, and I could never have survived without my dogs. My sister survived two abusive alcoholic husbands with her wonderful children, her beloved dog, cat and a parrot!
I finally know what to do with my little collection of collars! What a beautifully written article - especially poignant now, in this cruel world we live in, except for the magical gift of dogs and souls like Isak. Thank you for this. It made a lovely start to my day.
Thank you Aimee!
Perfect story. People in our village know us as the walkers. If we are ever without our dogs, they’ll say they hardly recognize us.
What a great read to start my day. Thank you!
Thank you!
Made me tear up.
Thanks for the refreshing R&R
I loved this story so much that I read it twice. Isak sounds like a kindered soul. Sometimes, people ask me if I'm a dog walker because I usually walk three dogs. I'll have to learn Isak's dance. If I'm not careful, I end up bound by leashes like a maypole. I hope Isak lasts till Celeste passes. I don't know how she'll cope without him.
Thank you Alexandra! I've worried that too, and then sometimes I've thought that both Isak and Celeste must be immortal.
Wonderful story. I think Isak is definitely a dog shaman.
Thank you. Your beautifully written piece brought moisture to my eyes and nose.
“The more I learn about people, the more I love my dog.” (Mark Twain. 1835-1910)
Many years ago, when I bought my land, I had lots of dogs and a tame goat that also used a leash.. I used retractible leashes and learned to whirl and duck and do whatever was needed to keep them untangled. I could not just let the dogs run because I had horses and goats and the dogs had to be kept separate. I would sometimes see my neighbors watching and shaking their heads, sometimes laughing, but it was my property and I had the right to do what I wanted. I had to sell half of my land, because the county changed the tax status and backdated it 5 years. There was no way I could pay it. I miss those days sometimes, but now I have two dogs and 5 cats, and that is enough. (although I REALLY miss my goat, Ralph)
I love this. So true. Dogs are sacred relatives.
Thank you for this great story. I love dogs (and cats -- I'm a dog AND cat person). Dogs are fabulous animals, and Isak sounds like a wonderful human.
I can live without most humans but dogs i can’t live without . I have had many in my 77 years and each one helped me keep my sanity . Not one human saw the pain in my soul but my dog did and knew what I needed . I loved your article and that you met some special human and dogs.
I love this. I was typing a long comment, hit the wrong key, and I lost this. Oh my. You are a fantastic writer, and I love these themes. I need to run now. I will write a post on this theme later. Check out Envision Kindness, a fantastic American father and son effort. Check out the Charter for Compassion, the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford Medical school, the Compassion Institute, the Global Compassion Coalition and my tiny BeCompassionateNl.ca project. My neighbours are extraordinarily creative, compassionate kind and resilient. I aimed to share links with those seriously researching the science of altruism, compassion, and kindness. As a medical doctor, I love art and science and have spent over fifty years alleviating and finding meaning in suffering. I will chat and write more on this later.
Best Wishes, Frances Scully
My dogs have stood by me through having to leave a bad family, then a bad man and bad marriage, through an illness that left me unable to get up off the floor for hours at a time, my Buttercup and Ozzy laying at my feet with me as one by one, my friends disappeared. My illness and fragility scared them too much I guess it it was too much to deal with. I was loved by my dogs even when I smelled and was too weak to take a shower. I was loved when I was scared out of my mind totally alone to deal with something that almost broke my body. I was loved like no human has ever loved me. I have a rescue now and he’s trying to learn how to trust humans. We are learning to love each other despite a life that has given us a lot of disappointment. But please no pity. This is a love story full of hope and joy and play and being present in the moment to appreciate the trees and the sound of the wind or a new squeaky toy or tasty treat or the sun on my face. Our dogs have mastered unconditional love. They teach us to slow down and to remember to play and be silly and to get outside in nature and move our bodies. They love us despite all our human flaws. I would take a dog over most humans any day. Thanks for this story and grump Isaac and all his dogs.
Wow, love right back to you and your canine companion. Love conquers all as you so powerfully and wisely share. I would not have survived these past seventeen years without a series of fur angels. I have been blessed in thousands of ways, and I have also experienced the pain of loss, loneliness and illness, and I could never have survived without my dogs. My sister survived two abusive alcoholic husbands with her wonderful children, her beloved dog, cat and a parrot!