This morning was absolutely brilliantly beautiful. Sunny and cool. I looked outside to see my huge yellow Labrador, Tiberius, resting in the sun. His eyes were closed, listening to the water rushing in the creek that runs through our backyard. He was sniffing the air, but kept his head perfectly still. I wondered how much more he senses in the backyard – what could he smell? What was he hearing that I couldn’t?
He looked incredibly peaceful and at rest, warm and still, and oddly zen-like. Nearly meditative. I wonder if that kind of deep relaxation and in his case, a true oneness with nature, is only attainable because his mind is simpler and his senses more heightened than a person’s. I don’t think I could ever feel so peaceful – I have so many issues, unanswered questions, problems and worries always buzzing around like moths in my head. Tiber, obviously, has none of these – he’s not a graduate student or responsible for anything. But I wonder if that kind of meditative peace could be possible for me, and what it would take to achieve it.
Funny how a dog's personality is reflected in his name. Tiber is so cool and indifferent. Lars? We miss him and his clumsy-ness; he makes us feel better about our own insecurities. Which leads me to paraphrase the bard. (Why, why must I mention the blasted bard?): would a rose by any other name smell as sweet?
ReplyDeleteAhhh.. Tiber is really a Zen dog. He must've learned how to relax and to be one with nature since Walter is always so... obnoxious, really. hahahaha!
ReplyDelete