I've got an orange cat who is kind of a dick, but he does get up at 4 and sit on the chair next to me while I write every morning. Cats are not as nice as dogs, but I like them.
Goobins, my outdoor feral cat is a badass. She is not allowed inside and sits by the door watching us like TV most of the day. She keeps the yard varmint free for left overs and a couple of table spoons of kibble a day. She has total freedom, chose us and has been with us for more than 3 years. She has the lions freedom while my indoor dick cat Captain Fuzzy get 3 meals and a warm house each day, he has the lamb's freedom. They each made a choice
Carson is such a gentleman. Guinness, the dog who owns me, puts his paw up on the edge of my chair and uses his nose to knock my auxiliary brain or whatever book I might be reading aside to stare directly into my eyes. His meaning is clear… Why are you sitting there on your ass when we could be out exploring? Today is my favorite day.
When I stand up to go, his joy is… Indescribable. It’s impossible to deny someone so honest their joy. and it turns out he’s right, today is the best day ever.
I suppose it’s a matter of personality. Carson will quietly judge us, maybe like Seneca. It sounds like Guinness is more Epictetian. No mercy full on confrontation.
I continually tell myself- “ski [or run, think, engage] like Maya (my dog). I had that thought at first when in the woods with her, but it applies everywhere.
It’s the now, free of the self-imposed neuroses and subsequent treatments. Openness.
“The point is that human-time means staying busy. More specifically, it means avoiding idleness. Because when we are idle, we have to gaze into the void.”
You’ve nailed it, Sam! Our business is often busy-ness designed to distract us from our existential angst. Here’s a good quote about that:
“People intoxicate themselves with work so they won’t see who they are.” — Aldous Huxley
In the presence of our dogs’ love and playful devotion without demand, we can flow a bit more into our true nature without fear. They are a blessing.
This is it entirely: existential angst runs like a current through the mind. The most joy I think we're capable of is truly accepting it and leaning hard into it. Thanks for sharing this, Baird.
Dogs do speak to us and you do understand Carson perfectly. More translations from Carson, please. When I see my “nephew” Max, he instantly reminds me to be a fool and give him his treats first!
I've got an orange cat who is kind of a dick, but he does get up at 4 and sit on the chair next to me while I write every morning. Cats are not as nice as dogs, but I like them.
I don't think I could summarize the definition of "cat" any better than this.
Goobins, my outdoor feral cat is a badass. She is not allowed inside and sits by the door watching us like TV most of the day. She keeps the yard varmint free for left overs and a couple of table spoons of kibble a day. She has total freedom, chose us and has been with us for more than 3 years. She has the lions freedom while my indoor dick cat Captain Fuzzy get 3 meals and a warm house each day, he has the lamb's freedom. They each made a choice
Aesop has a great fable on this between the wolf and dog. Of course he does. Freedom and lean muscle or domestication and a collar.
You don't get them both. From my forthcoming documentary Thai Stick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBNTvKrf58M
This looks epic. Stoked to watch it.
“Sorry I missed the meetings, guys — I switched all my clocks to dog time.”
Haha the world would shut down. It might even be a happier place.
Might?!
Fantastic reflection Sam, here's to being a fool!
I know you understand this completely, Allan. Here's to our furry monsters.
Carson is such a gentleman. Guinness, the dog who owns me, puts his paw up on the edge of my chair and uses his nose to knock my auxiliary brain or whatever book I might be reading aside to stare directly into my eyes. His meaning is clear… Why are you sitting there on your ass when we could be out exploring? Today is my favorite day.
When I stand up to go, his joy is… Indescribable. It’s impossible to deny someone so honest their joy. and it turns out he’s right, today is the best day ever.
I suppose it’s a matter of personality. Carson will quietly judge us, maybe like Seneca. It sounds like Guinness is more Epictetian. No mercy full on confrontation.
Great reminder, Sam!
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve looked up from my phone to see my dog, Louie, peering at me with his icy huskie eyes.
In those moments, I feel more self-conscious than any human could make me feel!
Huskies eyes are powerful. They almost stop me in the streets—it's like they can cut right through to the core. Thanks John, I'm grateful as always.
I haven't read this yet, but I just want to say that I already can't wait to do so.
Let's go! Almost anything mutt related is bound to be gold, I hope you enjoy.
I think I would prefer to max out my life with doggy walks and doggy laughs and questions to the doggos like, "what in the f*** are you doing now?"
I'm here for it, Stacy. Even the absolute unadulterated joy in eating is something I try to learn from Carson. Brilliance in the basics!
Though it isn’t what you intended, there is absolute joy in eating things that maybe I find a bit repulsive, so says Oakley and so might say Carson.
Carson concurs wholeheartedly. In fact, given the amount of shit he eats the moment I turn my head, I am sure of it.
And then they return, so very excited, tails shaking their entire body and burp the bunny meat scent into your face! Ahh, good times.
Yes, this, "My furry savage of a mutt reminded to live on dog-time and he was 2,600 miles away." Never not with us in some way.
I'm here for every minute of it, every hair, and every roll in a fresh and steaming pile of feces.
I can't believe how much time my pup spends sleeping! But when she's done. It must be either play time or dinner time.
Yes!
I continually tell myself- “ski [or run, think, engage] like Maya (my dog). I had that thought at first when in the woods with her, but it applies everywhere.
It’s the now, free of the self-imposed neuroses and subsequent treatments. Openness.
I love this and I’m here for it. Carson may like to eat shit, but he knows a deeper wisdom than any human I’ve ever met.
😂
Oh, what a beautiful post. Thank you. :) Makes me want to sit by the water with my Dogs and watch it flow. ... Wanna come? ;)
I'm stoked you enjoyed it, Lizzie, you're very welcome. Dogs and water are definitely two of my loves—both flow beautifully. Enjoy!
“The point is that human-time means staying busy. More specifically, it means avoiding idleness. Because when we are idle, we have to gaze into the void.”
You’ve nailed it, Sam! Our business is often busy-ness designed to distract us from our existential angst. Here’s a good quote about that:
“People intoxicate themselves with work so they won’t see who they are.” — Aldous Huxley
In the presence of our dogs’ love and playful devotion without demand, we can flow a bit more into our true nature without fear. They are a blessing.
This is it entirely: existential angst runs like a current through the mind. The most joy I think we're capable of is truly accepting it and leaning hard into it. Thanks for sharing this, Baird.
Dogs do speak to us and you do understand Carson perfectly. More translations from Carson, please. When I see my “nephew” Max, he instantly reminds me to be a fool and give him his treats first!
Let's go, Barry. Any beast than call us fools and get paid in treats for it has something special going on.
I'm sorry, that is absolute worst. When they suffer they cannot tell us what's wrong, but I think their eyes can speak. My heart goes out to him.