Wednesday, June 25, 2008

A Face and a Heart

"There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face."
(William Shakespeare, Macbeth, as spoken by Duncan, King of Scotland)

How blessed I am to be greeted by such a face first thing every morning and cuddled up next to it each night. Where so many see walking their dog companions as a chore––and I admit, I sometimes do, at least until I'm greeted at the door by such a smiling, laughing one as this––I know that walking with this face has brought me new friends, led me places I never expected to be taken and has illuminated even the darkest, coldest walks. This face has drastically changed my own, widening my smile lines, easing the worries held in my tight forehead and opening my eyes to the wonder of the discovery of the world, which no longer seems quite as fearful. There is joy in this face like none I have known, and it reveals all the things I aspire to be on a daily basis: open, friendly, warm, comforting, generous and excited at the unfolding mysteries found in the simplest and briefest of moments. But faces do more than reveal the mind behind them, they reveal the heart as well, and Dunc has one of the biggest hearts that I've ever had the joy of being touched by.

9 comments:

Nina S said...

THAT is such a great face. One of these days, we will add a Retriever to our family. It will be a fabulous day.

Anonymous said...

Marvelous photo...he is so beautiful.

We are privileged that dogs chose humans as their friends.

Lori Whitwam said...

The inside front cover of the current Whole Dog Journal describes the author's attempt to go to a park and find a picture of a person walking their dog, relaxed, loose leash, and paying attention to each other. She saw only ONE. Her point is that the person and dog were two separate entities, completely unresponsive to each other. The dog pulling, the person's attention elsewhere, on the phone, whatever. There together, but not in the same place. I love that you and Duncan aren't like that!

Anonymous said...

...and I love that Curt has taught us to be more like that too! My dog walking me is a much more pleasant experience as we "work together".

Curt Rogers said...

Well.... we're still working on the whole loose-leash thing. He's just so damn excited to see EVERYTHING that there are times I have to work to keep up. But when I drop the leash he's fine, stays close, walks with me, runs ahead and plays and waits for me to catch up. He's no saint, that's for sure.

Unknown said...

"We are privileged that dogs chose humans as their friends." Very well said!

They really do bring out the best in us, don't they?

Valerie Cummings said...

I can relate to what you said. Joey has taken me out into a new world and I have met people and great friends I would have never met if I didnt have Joey.

Greg said...

That's the secret to sharing your life with a dog...remembering to take their cues: be excited when you see the people you love, don't forget to eat (and have a treat or two later), drink plenty of water...and allow yourself to be thrilled by even the stinkiest things the world has to offer!!

It can be a fairly dreadful day, and yet how can I help but smile when I'm greeted with all that dog (and cat) love when I get home?

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness...just looking into those eyes...there's so much soul there! More soul in them than I can see in some people!