Wednesday, December 18, 2013

There are always flowers for those who want to see them.





Not a soul to be seen. The sun just rising behind the churchyard, the moon still high over the mountains. Bob and Sophie sprint down the lane to the old Roman Fort before heading down across the fields to the valley. They're watched from the walnut groves by deer; a large white rumped female and a gaggle of adolescents. For some reason, the mild winter perhaps, the deer are much more numerous and less fearful this year.

At the stream Bob clambers over the small waterfall and heads off in search of adventure. He's soon head down, staring intently at the small trout that flit backwards and forwards on the sandy river bed. Then he lunges. He does this with all the subtlety of a small furry hippopotamus. The small fish scatter. Bob picks himself up, stares intently into the water and repeats the whole process. Over and over and over.  Refraction a concept too time consuming to understand. His sister forgets her loathing of water and rushes off to join him. She lets out a whimper, half of excitement, half of delight.  I find myself, as I so often do, laughing out loud. PON's, it would have to be said, are not natural fishermen.

There used to be a time when I took our dogs out for a walk. A chore that needed to be squeezed into the day. Now I walk with them. A chance to look at a canine world that's full of mud and adventure. A place of happiness and peace with a bit more happiness squeezed in for good measure. Dogs know exactly why the world was made. Absent the mud it's what humans might call heaven.


19 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

The texture of the landscape beautifully refracted through the eyes of a dog lover today. Thank you once again for brightening my morning Angus.
Cheers, Gail.
PS Bertie is offering to bounce over to explain the physics of refraction to Bob!

Anonymous said...

O to be an 11 month old Polish sheepdog in France . xxx Moll and Flynn.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

These days walking with dogs is a pleasure.

XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

Anonymous said...

My walks with Merlin are my moments of peace.
x

Julie said...

In our house it was the other way around, Mia hated walking so just tolerated going with us, she much preferred a cuddle on the settee, very much the cavalier lapdog

myboyzach said...

Can you adopt us??? When can we move in??

VirginiaC said...

Our canine friends have that ability to make us laugh out loud at their antics, and keep us sane at the same time in this insane world.
Lovely description of your morning walk with Bob and Sophie.
Betcha Bob prefers to "fish" for trout from the fisherman's basket after that episode.

Anonymous said...

Wise Angus! Saying you are going for a walk WITH a dog is much more pleasant than taking the dog for a walk. Makes it sound less like a chore or
obligation. The pup and I will go for a walk later today. Bob the fisherdog-what a silly boy!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Happy, Beautiful and Wise.

tammy j said...

maybe they're secretly PON labs!
xo

Anonymous said...

Peace with the dogs!

Anonymous said...

That last paragraph says it all. I thought I was completely happy, then I got my spaniel. He's taught me so much and brought heaven right here to earth. Thanks for your writing, Angus. You put into words what so many of us feel.

kks said...

such a beautiful post…..
xoxo

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

A very thoughtful post today, Angus, with a needed reminder--Thank-you for that.

Peter and Shelagh said...

The most beautiful post I have ever read. I start everday with your blog, it helps me on my way to a life that must be lived this way till retirement. I am so happy to have stumbled on your blog, I read it outloud to him most days. Your are all lucky to have found each other, cheers and merry christmas.

Kari said...

How our view of life changes with the years.

Peter and Shelagh said...

Oops meant my husband, i do't call HIM, him!! Your writing is just so wonderful, I love your tales of the village. We have been to France several times and we share in the humour that abounds. The first time we visited said that if France was like the alphabet we were on the small letter a, there is just so much to see and explore. Shelagh, Vancouver, BC

houndstooth said...

So very true! We are blessed to be able to take time to see the world through the eyes of our dogs, if only for a short time.

Terra said...

You are wise to walk with your dogs and see things from their eyes, you undoubtedly have more fun this way.