What a cutie in that picture! The bond between a human and a dog is spiritual, I often have the sense my dog has the ability to communicate straight to something deeper in me. She never fails to bring a smile. And there’s a quiet sense of safety in her presence alone, something steady and unspoken. just looking at that soft bundle is enough to create a sense of home. It really is a privilege to care for these gentle, loyal creatures.
Likewise, your small comment here was a beautiful ode in itself. Thank you for sharing. It is astounding how universal this bond is, both at present and throughout the past. My sense is they will be an anchor for us in the future far more than they were in the past.
Sam, great topic. I could read about dogs all day long. Now, I am an uncle to Max and only have short conversations but those eyes sure can speak. Carson must love zoomies.
Those short conversations are the best. Max probably takes full advantage of every second he can get with you. I've found even passing by a mutt on the street is enough to change my chemistry. Thank you, Barry.
I might have to adopt a dog once I move out, everyone needs a friend, a companion, a brother like Carson! And I think the idea of revealing the meaning already present within our lives is really engraining itself into the gyri of my brain by now. Great stuff!
If you do it, you will have me and several billion other humans cheering you on. A guaranteed gift of some primality in your life, raw unadultered love. Thanks, Kai.
Man, this article hit me hard. I just lost my hiking partner / morning alarm clock / no-excuses-get-out-in-any-whether doggy. On the eve of her 16th birthday, I had to carry her furry, warm, but failing body to the vet for a final goodbye visit.
Yes, there is something pure and uncomplicated in the love between a man and his/her dog, I don't know.
😖💔 sooo sorry. That’s one of the worst events to go through. We said goodbye to 3. Still hv 1, Brindie (plott hound, although she looks part lab/pitt). She knew my late husband, bff, Stacy, and she was twice rescued before. She misses her fellow dog friend, Hercules (Pitt/american staffordshire), and Stacy. She came over to befriend Hercules who lost mocha (chocolate lab/rottweiler)the day before. Shes my connection to Stacy and has indeed rescued me. She’s bn thru her own stuff. Idk how I will do without her! She’s 8 now! Treasure her so much! Such love from her.
The bond we have with our dogs is extremely special—if we take the time to listen to their voice. I shared my dog’s story in Maya and Me because what she gave so freely—comfort, presence, calm—is something we now understand to be deeply healing. Maya did more than walk with me. She taught me ways to support myself, too.
Maya gave me time when I needed to be still. She never judged or pulled away. She was always steady, patient, and there for me. Over time, I learned I could treat myself with that same kindness.
Beyond supporting children as they learn to read, Maya taught me something about love. You don’t need a language for it.
The kindest and saddest thing I ever had to do was let her go.
Found myself nodding along and just smiling through this.
My dad unfortunately was KIA when I was 8 years old so often I think of the length of relationships I have with these animals.
Moxie, my first dog on my own, I got when I turned 18. Literally hid her in the dorm as a freshman in college. Now I’m 30 and she’s still here. I’ve had her longer in my life than my own father.
Bought my first house with her, got married, she’s been around for the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
I'm stoked you enjoyed it. I'm also moved about your father. It sounds like Moxie filled a role many of us will never know. Thank you for sharing this.
What stay is that the essay never treats the dog merely as symbol. Carson remains vividly alive throughout it: the click of nails on the floorboards, the white rupture moving through the woods, the absurd joy at the bowl of meat. Those details prevent the piece from drifting entirely into abstraction and keep returning it to lived companionship. I also found the idea that dogs interrupt modern abstraction itself compelling. They pull us back toward embodiment, silence, attention, mortality, and presence. Not philosophically, but physically. Daily. Persistently.
“The dog is an oracle whose wisdom is from an era whose language we no longer speak” could have become overwrought in weaker hands, yet because the essay is grounded in genuine observation, it lands with surprising emotional sincerity. And the Roman opening was beautiful. The image of carrying the old dog to its final rest while remembering carrying the puppy home fifteen years earlier contains almost the entire human condition inside it.
Little is better than dog stories. How we interact with the beings that lower our blood pressure (most of the time) and share cuddles at the end of a long and tiring day. I have been fortunate to have three quiet alpha dogs-nonaggressive and set the temperament for any doggo visitors. I have also had two impulse control dogs. Lovers, too but with a greater structural need from their human counterpart. I am also fascinated how doggo temperaments and needs change over time, how if Phea, as an example, comes up to me that she truly wants a moment, one down at her level with a bit of eye contact. Or how Oakley, the wild child, is now more balanced (I think secure) if she is permitted to come and lean against my leg, like the touch is a place of safety.
It is fascinating studying their different personalities. As different as people, and yet more interesting in a way, because we know their “self” is not practiced or protected. Thanks for sharing this, Stacy, and for insight into your mutts.
Your odes to Carson are the most joyful, loving reads! I’ve been meaning to put to paper my thoughts about my dog now, and dogs past, but they’re so much a part of my minutes, it’s like trying to describe my breathing. Mostly this essay, and the comments from all your readers, makes me so proud and honored to be part of this community, covered in dog hair as we all might be.
I don't think any words used to describe dogs, or breathing for that matter, are wasted. We become even more deeply attuned to the things that ground us, that which truly matters, such as the dog hair you mentioned. I was driving yesterday and noticed white Carson hair's on the ceiling of my truck. Priceless.
Animals are life
Pure, uncut life.
Yup:), perfectly put
What a cutie in that picture! The bond between a human and a dog is spiritual, I often have the sense my dog has the ability to communicate straight to something deeper in me. She never fails to bring a smile. And there’s a quiet sense of safety in her presence alone, something steady and unspoken. just looking at that soft bundle is enough to create a sense of home. It really is a privilege to care for these gentle, loyal creatures.
Beautifully written!
*well (thanks auto correct?!)
Likewise, your small comment here was a beautiful ode in itself. Thank you for sharing. It is astounding how universal this bond is, both at present and throughout the past. My sense is they will be an anchor for us in the future far more than they were in the past.
Thank you. We’ll put.
Sam, great topic. I could read about dogs all day long. Now, I am an uncle to Max and only have short conversations but those eyes sure can speak. Carson must love zoomies.
Those short conversations are the best. Max probably takes full advantage of every second he can get with you. I've found even passing by a mutt on the street is enough to change my chemistry. Thank you, Barry.
I might have to adopt a dog once I move out, everyone needs a friend, a companion, a brother like Carson! And I think the idea of revealing the meaning already present within our lives is really engraining itself into the gyri of my brain by now. Great stuff!
If you do it, you will have me and several billion other humans cheering you on. A guaranteed gift of some primality in your life, raw unadultered love. Thanks, Kai.
Do it, Kai! You'll never regret it! I recommend a German shepherd, but that's just my pure bias showing. :)
Man, this article hit me hard. I just lost my hiking partner / morning alarm clock / no-excuses-get-out-in-any-whether doggy. On the eve of her 16th birthday, I had to carry her furry, warm, but failing body to the vet for a final goodbye visit.
Yes, there is something pure and uncomplicated in the love between a man and his/her dog, I don't know.
Thank you for this.
That is a hard hitting description of our ancient companions. 16 is a long and good life. Thank you, as well, for sharing this.
😖💔 sooo sorry. That’s one of the worst events to go through. We said goodbye to 3. Still hv 1, Brindie (plott hound, although she looks part lab/pitt). She knew my late husband, bff, Stacy, and she was twice rescued before. She misses her fellow dog friend, Hercules (Pitt/american staffordshire), and Stacy. She came over to befriend Hercules who lost mocha (chocolate lab/rottweiler)the day before. Shes my connection to Stacy and has indeed rescued me. She’s bn thru her own stuff. Idk how I will do without her! She’s 8 now! Treasure her so much! Such love from her.
“The dog, then, is an oracle whose wisdom is from an era whose language we no longer speak.”
Thank you for this incredible article.
You're more than welcome. I'm still trying to learn that language.
The bond we have with our dogs is extremely special—if we take the time to listen to their voice. I shared my dog’s story in Maya and Me because what she gave so freely—comfort, presence, calm—is something we now understand to be deeply healing. Maya did more than walk with me. She taught me ways to support myself, too.
Maya gave me time when I needed to be still. She never judged or pulled away. She was always steady, patient, and there for me. Over time, I learned I could treat myself with that same kindness.
Beyond supporting children as they learn to read, Maya taught me something about love. You don’t need a language for it.
The kindest and saddest thing I ever had to do was let her go.
Thank you for sharing, Mary. Maya reminds me of Maia, which in Greek is the earth goddess. Your Maya can easily fit that description as well.
Great piece, Sam. I'm going to let my dog in (or let myself out).
Thanks Jesse. I dig the inversion—that cuts the core of the matter indeed.
Found myself nodding along and just smiling through this.
My dad unfortunately was KIA when I was 8 years old so often I think of the length of relationships I have with these animals.
Moxie, my first dog on my own, I got when I turned 18. Literally hid her in the dorm as a freshman in college. Now I’m 30 and she’s still here. I’ve had her longer in my life than my own father.
Bought my first house with her, got married, she’s been around for the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
Beautifully written piece brother. Thank you!
I'm stoked you enjoyed it. I'm also moved about your father. It sounds like Moxie filled a role many of us will never know. Thank you for sharing this.
What stay is that the essay never treats the dog merely as symbol. Carson remains vividly alive throughout it: the click of nails on the floorboards, the white rupture moving through the woods, the absurd joy at the bowl of meat. Those details prevent the piece from drifting entirely into abstraction and keep returning it to lived companionship. I also found the idea that dogs interrupt modern abstraction itself compelling. They pull us back toward embodiment, silence, attention, mortality, and presence. Not philosophically, but physically. Daily. Persistently.
“The dog is an oracle whose wisdom is from an era whose language we no longer speak” could have become overwrought in weaker hands, yet because the essay is grounded in genuine observation, it lands with surprising emotional sincerity. And the Roman opening was beautiful. The image of carrying the old dog to its final rest while remembering carrying the puppy home fifteen years earlier contains almost the entire human condition inside it.
Little is better than dog stories. How we interact with the beings that lower our blood pressure (most of the time) and share cuddles at the end of a long and tiring day. I have been fortunate to have three quiet alpha dogs-nonaggressive and set the temperament for any doggo visitors. I have also had two impulse control dogs. Lovers, too but with a greater structural need from their human counterpart. I am also fascinated how doggo temperaments and needs change over time, how if Phea, as an example, comes up to me that she truly wants a moment, one down at her level with a bit of eye contact. Or how Oakley, the wild child, is now more balanced (I think secure) if she is permitted to come and lean against my leg, like the touch is a place of safety.
But gads - let's all laugh at the zoomies!!
It is fascinating studying their different personalities. As different as people, and yet more interesting in a way, because we know their “self” is not practiced or protected. Thanks for sharing this, Stacy, and for insight into your mutts.
The dog. Always. The dog. Because the absence of them is too hard to bear.
Thanks Sam. We do love our beastie boys ☺️
Sam thanks for the follow…. I love this stack.. so true nothing makes me happier than being with my dogs.
You're more than welcome. Our mutts keep us whole, centered, awake.
Your odes to Carson are the most joyful, loving reads! I’ve been meaning to put to paper my thoughts about my dog now, and dogs past, but they’re so much a part of my minutes, it’s like trying to describe my breathing. Mostly this essay, and the comments from all your readers, makes me so proud and honored to be part of this community, covered in dog hair as we all might be.
I don't think any words used to describe dogs, or breathing for that matter, are wasted. We become even more deeply attuned to the things that ground us, that which truly matters, such as the dog hair you mentioned. I was driving yesterday and noticed white Carson hair's on the ceiling of my truck. Priceless.
After reading this, I hugged my GSD's. They really are better humans than most humans. Awesome piece as always, Sam! Thank you!
You're very welcome—give those massive German monsters of yours some extra cookies!
Most excellent and awesome, Sam. : ) Few things give more pleasure than your dog and not nearly as often.
Thank you, and extremely well said. A never-ending fount of wisdom and love.