Dogs – Cynthia Reyes

Moments of joy. A gift beyond measure:

Flowers from my older daughter and son-in-law, who live far away and send the nicest bouquets of flowers when we least expect it. Thank you, dear Daughter and Son-in-law.

Scenes of water and trees during the warm months.

Pictures of our gentle giant Kinu. Despite his enormous size, he was a sweet dog who had no idea why some strangers were reluctant to come close.

Mr. D., the sweet little dog my younger daughter rescued.

Easter weekend made 4 years since she brought him home. (Thanks for your kind heart, dear Daughter.)

Scenes from summer, like the day lilies that will bloom profusely this July.

Time spent on the farmhouse verandah.

And moments like this one below: I was signing books at St. George’s Anglican Church in Toronto and a little girl, Tatyana, marched over and asked me to take a photo with her and her mother. I was honoured.

One of the tools they taught me at the rehabilitation hospital: focus on a happy scene. When pain gets so bad that you feel like howling, visualize something that brings you joy.

Thank you, Toronto Rehab.

Thanks to Hamlin Grange for the lovely photos.

They are two of the sweetest little doggies you ever saw: Mr. J. on the left and and Mr. D on the right, below. They’re my daughter’s pets and are a joy to be around.

They’re also the best of friends, who do almost everything together. Every so often, they’ll sit at that window for long minutes, staring out at the snow – or so I think. Whatever they’re looking at, they seem very intent.

Photo by H. Grange

When I go to the same window and look out, I don’t see anything moving. Not squirrels or rabbits or birds or any other creatures. Just trees and shrubs and snow. Lots of snow.

Unless, of course, dogs have telescopic vision and are seeing something that I can’t.

So what are our two little doggies staring at so intently?

And what are they thinking? I know that dogs dream. But do they daydream as well?

And do they have silent conversations?

Mr. J: “Don’t you wish we could go back outside and play in that snow”?

Mr. D: “Not really- will this winter NEVER end?”

Mr. J: “Isn’t it fun messing with the humans’ minds? Let’s just sit here and keep doing this.”

It’s one of life’s mysteries…..

Here’s to the pets who bring joy to our lives — sometimes when we least expect it.