Fall is in the Air

...that certain crisp bite that says change is near.

Dog Psalm #87

The whole world smells of new beginnings.

Hopes and dreams are wafting from the grass.

Mystery

Sometimes this squeaky ball tells me secrets
without making any noise.

The Nose Knows

Storm approaching. I can smell the snow.

Abstracts

I didn't think I'd be keen on abstracts 

but their appeal kind of sneaks up on you.

If you spend a little time with them

you can almost get a scent picture.

Autumn

 

Fall is full of the smells of change;
a scent buffet.

Walkies

How about a jaunt around the mountain?

Whadaya say? Up and at 'em sunshine!
There are smells to smell and scat to roll in.

Waiting for Supper

It's nice to watch the humans scurry about preparing food,

making delicious smells and sounds.

After the rain

I stop and smell the flowers.

Iris are the apple of my eye.

Dear sweet deep blue summer

so soft beneath my feet

I savour our days together.

Elephant in the living room

Hey. What the...

Does anyone else see this?

Well, if it smells like an elephant it must be an elephant.
I thought it would be larger. Go figure.

Excuse me, are we going to talk about it 

or just keep it?

My doggy UMWELT

What it is like...

It is close to the ground...

It is lickable...

It either fits in the mouth or is too big for the mouth...

It is full of details...

It is in the moment...

It is fleeting and fast...

It is written all over their faces...

It reads like a poem but the text above is an excerpt

from the table of contents of

INSIDE OF A DOG What Dogs See, Smell, and Know.

Dog ear a page or two for your person

so they may better understand and learn from you.

Squirrel Invasion

     I always yowl at the squirrels when they taunt me on the fire escape. I hate them and not just because they have thumbs. Over the past few days those dirty rascals found a way into the attic and wall space and tormented us from every angle.  From the sounds of it at first they were busy on renovations to make their winter home cozy.  Then they became frantic when they discovered their entrance had been closed off by a helpful maintenance man. There was thrashing and bashing and skittering; bumping and thumping; chewing, chomping and clawing. For God's sake stay off the electrical wires! Your soul will go straight to heaven. But the smell of your death will be with us for months.
     There are a lot of rules for getting rid of squirrels for people. Rules that seem silly to dogs. Hunt them down and drive them out! That was my strategy. Luckily I was not alone. My excessive sharp barking, pawing and whining I finally drove them down to the second floor where Harley and her people live and she employed my tactic. Eventually Harley went down to the basement with her people and the landlord to do a "squirrel check". Earlier in the day a tenant had been accosted by a squirrel while doing laundry. The people looked and looked but couldn't find the perpetrator. But Harley had sniffed the crafty culprit out.  She signaled the people by standing near and whining at the trash can.  They eventually got a clue and came over.  As they peered in - out popped a squirrel who then ran out the open window as the people screamed and Harley wagged triumphantly.
     During our nose to nose 'post mortem' conversation, we always have a chat about house happenings through the crack under her door when I am in the hall, Harley mentioned that the squirrel flipped her off as he darted out the window. I don't doubt it. It's that kind of attitude that brews my dislike of them.

Two paws up for Harley!!

We love you. That's why we left you cookies in the mailbox.
Your Mom said your "getting a big head".  I think you should.
Nice work.

Sunday Dog Psalm #6

GRACE

I smell you in smiles

I hear you in kind words
honest questions, truthful answers

I see you in the eyes of others,

in looks that speak as eloquently as trees.

I feel you beneath my feet,

and in tender caress and rescuing hugs.

Grace
I try and live at your command
delivering unconstrained goodwill
through a higher power.

Sometimes I find you, Grace, as I seek
honour and dignity,
strength and inspiration
in each tiny, mundane moment

In some potent instances
I am you
and can regenerate divinity.

Sunday Dog Psalm

Today I found a tiny, lovely, baby bird.
Departed.
I rolled on it to honor it.
I am not frightened by death. I am curious.
I do not look away, dismiss, or avert my sensibilities. I hone in.
I investigate
gutters, leaves,
the under carriage of shrubs, grubs,
garbage and trash
to find the source of the scent.
The scent that informs me of life - its tenacity and fragility.
Whoever or whatever you were, I want to know your "ness".
Do not fear. Death is but one more leg of the journey of existence.

Your destiny is the beauty of the universe.