Well, I’m in tears. As the owner of a wonderfully complicated creature named Sergio, whose care has seemed, at times, just too much to cope with, I have contemplated many of the thoughts you share here. At the moment, I’m sitting on the couch beside him during a rainstorm trying to keep him calm. It’s fair to say that I’m HIS emotional support animal, not the other way around. Lots to ponder here; sending love to you, as always…
Your twelve pieces have deeply moved me, not just because my wife and I are 'dog people' and saw our Labrador enjoy life to be almost fifteen years. Your extensive thoughts on loyalty are deep and moving too. I have one small observation to make. Why do we humans have this constant tendency to see the world in opposites? Loyal - disloyal etc. I can't help thinking this way we miss out on a vast and infinitely complicated broader picture.
Thank you for sharing these intimate experiences with us!
Hartelijk bedankt, Peter - for reading and for your kind comments and insights. I am glad you shared life with your Labrador, finding your own love and loyalty. Re. opposites - I understand completely your point - and can only think that it is the movement between them and blurring of those binaries that help us find all that that is missing 'in between' - the broader picture, as you rightly say. Again, thanks so much for responding to the piece - it was a tough one to write. All good wishes, Amy
Beautiful video - a lovely tribute from you to Gladys. I think you would appreciate a film I've just watched called 'Rex', also known as 'Megan Leavey'. It encapsulates what you've been writing about here. I hope you will keep sharing your dog-insights with other dogs and their companions, as another kind of loyalty to Gladys. Not everyone is in the right situation to 'own' a dog, but it's surely a special gift to really understand one.
Many thanks, Caroline. Your comments are kind, generous, and helpful. Warmly appreciated as it was a difficult task. I had not heard of Rex / Megan Leavey - so will do a search. Best, Amy xx
Well, I’m in tears. As the owner of a wonderfully complicated creature named Sergio, whose care has seemed, at times, just too much to cope with, I have contemplated many of the thoughts you share here. At the moment, I’m sitting on the couch beside him during a rainstorm trying to keep him calm. It’s fair to say that I’m HIS emotional support animal, not the other way around. Lots to ponder here; sending love to you, as always…
Warm thanks and love back to you too, as always! And love to Sergio too. xx
Dear Amy,
Your twelve pieces have deeply moved me, not just because my wife and I are 'dog people' and saw our Labrador enjoy life to be almost fifteen years. Your extensive thoughts on loyalty are deep and moving too. I have one small observation to make. Why do we humans have this constant tendency to see the world in opposites? Loyal - disloyal etc. I can't help thinking this way we miss out on a vast and infinitely complicated broader picture.
Thank you for sharing these intimate experiences with us!
Hartelijk bedankt, Peter - for reading and for your kind comments and insights. I am glad you shared life with your Labrador, finding your own love and loyalty. Re. opposites - I understand completely your point - and can only think that it is the movement between them and blurring of those binaries that help us find all that that is missing 'in between' - the broader picture, as you rightly say. Again, thanks so much for responding to the piece - it was a tough one to write. All good wishes, Amy
Beautiful video - a lovely tribute from you to Gladys. I think you would appreciate a film I've just watched called 'Rex', also known as 'Megan Leavey'. It encapsulates what you've been writing about here. I hope you will keep sharing your dog-insights with other dogs and their companions, as another kind of loyalty to Gladys. Not everyone is in the right situation to 'own' a dog, but it's surely a special gift to really understand one.
Many thanks, Caroline. Your comments are kind, generous, and helpful. Warmly appreciated as it was a difficult task. I had not heard of Rex / Megan Leavey - so will do a search. Best, Amy xx