Monday, April 09, 2012

At Play in the North Woods

The sky is blue, and there are grosbeaks singing in the overstory.  Shielded from the north wind, Spencer is at play among the trees of the Lanark highlands, and the soft April sun is warm on his dappled fur.

He runs, his dancing feet scattering last autumn's fallen leaves - he is moving as he dreamed of moving all winter along when the snow was too deep for such things, his tail high and his expressive ears flying in the wind. Some days, being a canine is simply divine.

There are bogs and ponds to wade in, holes to dig, interesting artifacts to unearth and fine "stuff" to roll on.  There are sticks to toss and chase, familiar forest trails to float along, kicking up his heels and drinking in the intoxicating smells of springtime.  There are wonderful sounds to sample and identify: owls calling in the deep woods, partridge drumming beyond the ridge, hawks keening as they hunt overhead in the cloudless sky.
When the day is done, he will smell like the bottom of a bog himself, and his mum will insist on giving him a bath - puzzling because he thinks he smells just grand and can't figure out what all the fuss is about.  Whatever is the matter with us?

6 comments:

Debbie said...

Reading this brought such a warm smile . . . and I'm a-wonderin' . . . is Spencer's the only heart that is dancin' and playin'?

Nah, didn't think so!

Love you, sweet friend!

Mystic Meandering said...

Spencer is so sweet - what a wonderful companion.

Yes, hope you are dancin' and playin' too in the those beautiful woods.

I love this line: "moving as he used to dream of moving..." Sometimes I too dream of moving/living like I used to! :)

Angie said...

I adore how you can verbalize our canines' thoughts so clearly. :) Happy happy Spring, dear Cate and Spencer.

Guy said...

That looks like on happy fellow.

All the best.

Guy

Shelley said...

Love this. We've a neighbor dog here who rarely passes by without some giant near-tree-sized limb in his mouth. So purposeful and pleased with himself, you can't help but smile.

Keechy said...

I have a stick and toy obsessed GWP and I had to smile at that jaunty back view. I've seen the same view so often over the years as she precedes me so happily with her latest treasure in her mouth!