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Category Archives: Quotes and Poems

Quotations and poems about canines.

Poem: “Spring,” by Mary Oliver

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Lounging dogs

Rainer and Pyrrha in the yard.

Spring
By Mary Oliver

I lift my face to the pale flowers
of the rain. They’re soft as linen,
clean as holy water. Meanwhile
my dog runs off, noses down packed leaves
into damp, mysterious tunnels.
He says the smells are rising now
stiff and lively; he says the beasts
are waking up now full of oil,
sleep sweat, tag-ends of dreams. The rain
rubs its shining hands all over me.
My dog returns and barks fiercely, he says
each secret body is the richest advisor,
deep in the black earth such fuming
nuggets of joy!

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

So it really feels more like summer here these days, but I love this poem from Mary Oliver, about a spring walk with her dog, and the simple delight that dogs take in the little things.

Hope you all have peaceful weekends!

The dog’s agenda

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Source: mymodernmet.com

The dog’s agenda is simple, fathomable, overt: I want. “I want to go out, come in, eat something, lie here, play with that, kiss you.” There are no ulterior motives with a dog, no mind games, no second-guessing, no complicated negotiations or bargains, and no guilt trips or grudges if a request is denied.

— Caroline Knapp

. . . . . . . . . .

True, isn’t it? And yet it’s somehow comforting to know that our dogs’ needs are made so apparent to us (if only we’re paying attention).

Rainer has recovered well from his neuter yesterday, although he’s still a bit groggy today. Pyrrha continues with her annoying behavior toward him (essentially just harassing him, particularly when they get let out of the crates), and we’re trying to keep her away from him. Poor dude doesn’t need this crazy bitch abusing him all of the time!

I’ll be gone for a few days next week, so Guion will be holding down the fort with Rainer and Pyr! Should be a fun time…

Happy weekend, everyone, and happy early mother’s day to all of you moms out there!

All dogs should go to heaven

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Beautiful German shepherd. © Mercedes Snow Photography

© Mercedes Snow Photography

“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.”

— Mark Twain

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I often wonder how many of these aphorisms Mark Twain actually said (or wrote), but at some point, I don’t really care, because they’re always great quotes. Like this one. It’s gotta be true! (Although I daresay that God must surely favor dogs, too…)

Headed to my in-laws this weekend. Looking forward to watching Pyrrha and a presumably much bigger Georgia romp! Photos to come.

Examine your conscience

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Scruffy little dog on the street. by RazorBrown, via Flickr

By RazorBrown, via Flickr.

“If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience.”

— Woodrow Wilson

I love this quote; it strikes me as such an American thing to say, for some reason. But it also makes me feel like a terrible person when Pyrrha looks me in the eye and then decides to run off to chase something else!

That said, we are getting our first foster tonight! All I know is that his name is Brandon, and he is a six-year-old bicolor male who is being neutered in town. We may only have him briefly, as there is another Virginia foster home who wants older males. I’m excited and nervous! Pictures and more information to come!

Pure love

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German shepherd puppy! You little devil. #gsd

Click for source.

“The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.”

— Johnny Depp

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Happy weekend, everyone! I am looking forward to some sunshine, even it’s still quite cold. Hope you enjoy a happy few days off with your dog(s)!

The bond we have with dogs

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Marie-Thérèse Walter, Pablo Picasso's muse,  © Gérard Blot/Réunion de Musées Nationaux/Art Resource, NY, Acquavella Galleries.

Marie-Thérèse Walter and a shepherd. © Gérard Blot.

There is definitely something special about the bond we have with dogs. Their ability to read our communicative gestures makes them seem “in tune” with us. And their attentiveness to our every move can’t help but make us feel special. There is one study that shows that dogs would prefer to spend time with humans than their own species, which is unusual for an animal. Every dog owner is familiar with that rise in spirits as a thumping tail greets you at the door, and from the enthusiasm dogs have for us, it’s hard to believe the feeling isn’t mutual.

— Canine behavioral scientist Dr. Brian Hare, in a recent interview featured in Scientific American.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I love this: Science backing what we already know to be true about our dogs.

Happy weekend, everyone!

The best deal

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A woman and her dog. by Stepan Obruchkov, via Flickr

(c) Stepan Obruchkov.

“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made. ”

— Roger Caras

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I agree with you there, Caras!

We are going to visit my in-laws this weekend, with the primary aim of meeting baby Georgia! FINALLY! I am so excited. Thanks for all of your advice about Pyrrha and the baby; I will strive to make Pyrrha feel loved and not incite any jealousy between her and her new aunt. I hope it all goes well and that Pyr doesn’t play too roughly with her. Will be coming home with lots pictures! Have a great weekend, everyone.

What dogs think of us

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Maddie the coonhound's halloween costume. http://maddieonthings.com/post/32534077268/halloween-costume-option-2

Maddie the Coonhound. 

“I’ve seen a look in dogs’ eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts.”

– John Steinbeck

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Yep. I think this is essentially true. Have a great weekend everyone! SO ready for spring over here, although Pyrrha is still reveling in the snow.

Delight of the moment

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Sweet basenji pair. #basenji

 

“Perhaps one central reason for loving dogs is that they take us away from this obsession with ourselves. When our thoughts start to go in circles, and we seem unable to break away, wondering what horrible event the future holds for us, the dog opens a window into the delight of the moment.”

— Jeffrey Moussaeiff Masson

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I love this thought from Masson; it rings so true to me.

Happy weekend, everyone! We are expecting some more snow this weekend, but Pyrrha is just desperate to burn off some energy, so we may have a play-date anyway. We’ll see… Hope you all are warm and well.

Silent, devoted companionship

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Sweet old corgi face. © Anthony Helton, Purple Collar Pet Photography

© Anthony Helton, Purple Collar Pet Photography

“I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent, devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.”

Doris Day

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I think we all know it’s true! Hope you have great weekends and some moments of meaningful connection with your dog.

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