Greetings, dear friends.
Welcome to my new corner—a space where I share the musings and reflections that arise in my heart from time to time.
I’ve always loved this Dharma quote by Jack Kornfield:
If you can sit quietly after difficult news; if in financial downturns you remain perfectly calm; if you can see your neighbors travel to fantastic places without a twinge of jealousy; if you can happily eat whatever is put on your plate; you can fall asleep after a day of running around without a drink or a pill; if you can always find contentment just where you are: you are probably a dog.
Today I’m delighted to introduce the newest member of my household, Snowy—formerly known as Baby Boy, an 11-pound senior poodle mix. My granddaughter Rasulan noticed his striking resemblance to Tintin’s faithful canine companion Snowy, and the name seemed perfect.
Some time ago, feeling the absence of animal companions in my life, I submitted an adoption application to the Dogwood Animal Rescue Project, an organization dedicated to saving one animal at a time. A few weeks ago, I received the call. My roommate Zarah and I went to meet Baby Boy, not expecting to bring him home that day. But my hesitant excuses didn’t convince Shirley, the founder of the rescue project, who has saved thousands of animals. She made sure we were fully prepared, equipping us with thyroid medication, ear medicine, nutritious food, a collar, leash, and even a cozy bed.
Snowy’s journey hasn’t been easy. He was found abandoned, living on a pile of trash in a homeless camp. When he arrived at the rescue center, he was in rough shape—matted, flea-ridden, and suffering from painful foxtails and rotten teeth. But with loving care, he’s now free of mats and fleas, his teeth are taken care of, and he even smells doggie sweet.
He’s now relaxed and feeling safe in his new home: The Hurqalya Center. Although a “senior” he’s full of fun, tricks, and sweetness. He sits quietly at my feet while I’m at the computer all day counseling or giving classes. I’m learning dog language – how he communicates through inner pictures of what he wants.
Please enjoy this wonderful ode to his dog by Billy Collins.
Dharma by Billy Collins
The way the dog trots out the front door
every morning
without a hat or an umbrella,
without any money
or the keys to her doghouse
never fails to fill the saucer of my heart
with milky admiration.
Who provides a finer example
of a life without encumbrance—
Thoreau in his curtainless hut
with a single plate, a single spoon?
Gandhi with his staff and his holy diapers?
Off she goes into the material world
with nothing but her brown coat
and her modest blue collar,
following only her wet nose,
the twin portals of her steady breathing,
followed only by the plume of her tail.
If only she did not shove the cat aside
every morning
and eat all his food
what a model of self-containment she
would be,
what a paragon of earthly detachment.
If only she were not so eager
for a rub behind the ears,
so acrobatic in her welcomes,
if only I were not her god.
