Category Archives: Dog

Simple Wish (Acrostic)

Today the veil of snow descendsOn the pasture of beach weeds I call the lawn.Until the weather warms, it willLie in state, as does your memory, my furry friend.Oh, that you could see the white and feel,Under your paws, the … Continue reading

Posted in Dog, family, Gratitude, Life, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

A Hole in My Ho Ho

This has been the first Christmas in many years without you. Ah, buddy, I miss you so. There really is a hole in my ho ho. I’m still saying goodnight to you when I turn off the light. I may … Continue reading

Posted in Beach, Bedtime, Dog, Friendship, Letters from elsewhere, Slice of Death | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

If There Are No Dogs in Heaven

Always glad to see meAlways at my side;I need to say this clearlySo it’s obvious when I die;I’ll stop the bus on the wayUntil I surely know:If there are no dogs in heaven,I don’t want to go. Walking in the … Continue reading

Posted in Dog, Dogs | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Snap

She slept on the floor by the side of my bed,Snoring softly in the darkness.When it was time, she’d awaken me gently andI’d reluctantly lurch with her to the front door;Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, clear, rain, wind, snow…it didn’t matter;I’d … Continue reading

Posted in Childhood, Dog, Friendship, Poem, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

The Ecology of Gratitude

I’m clearing the decks. Here’s another essay nobody will publish. JimS. Ah, gratitude: a simple way to honor the place in which you find yourself, an emotion that encompasses the breadth of a life and lights the sometimes stony path … Continue reading

Posted in Dog, family, Friendship, Gratitude, Home, Hope, Humans, humor, Kids, laughing, Oregon, pals, parents, prayer, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Muselessness

I’m supposed to be finishing a novel but I’m not. It’s a murky late summer day with an uncertain sky and a directionally challenged breeze smelling of salt and fir, marsh and cedar. My characters are all hovering around the … Continue reading

Posted in Absolutes, animals, Brian Doyle, Dog, Dogs, Gratitude, Novel, Slice of Life, Uncategorized, William Stafford, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Amble du Jour

The dog catches my eyeand whines his question:“Now, Boss, now?”An idea: the smell of saltopens my mind.I laugh and nod.He stands with a clatterof claws on hardwood,tail high and boisterous, ashe prances around the couch.His eager head presses throughthe red … Continue reading

Posted in animals, Beach, Dog, Dogs, family, Friendship, Gratitude, Morning, Ocean, Oregon, pals, Poem, walking | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Haiku–The Nose Knows

In what we call stink a wealth of information finds your active brain. (photo: *Toulouse as a youngster–jrs; *model for Bucket in Ochoco Reach)

Posted in animals, Beach, Brain, Consciousness, Dog, Haiku, Humans, Poem, Uncategorized, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Mister Sniffy

In the grey light before sunrise you examine the yard and driveway: sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff Snort! sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff Snort! The new light catches the focus in your eyes, much as it might catch the focus … Continue reading

Posted in animals, Dog, family, Friendship, Poetry, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Haiku–Great Day Beginning

Dog butt precedes me, dappled sunlight up the path into this morning. (wetcanvas.com)

Posted in Dog, Haiku, Poem, walking | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments