Saturday, November 8, 2008


Walking Through Autumn

Like most dogs of his furry lineage, Edward is utterly repelled by the thought of wet feet. On a soggy day, he is bound and determined to remain indoors and when forced into a necessary foray into the back garden he will high step comically along the stone pathway in an often futile attempt to remain dry-pawed. One can clearly see his mood begin to cloud when the skies do. But in all other weather, he adores nothing more than heading out with me for a long walk. In the hot summer, when the days become mossy and oppressive, those walks are frequently enjoyed late at night. After dark, when the swelter has abated a bit and the shrill crescendos of the cicadas can be heard sawing loudly through the pine trees, we become moving, moonlit shadows as we take our slower strolls through the waning heat. Our winter walks are often experienced at our fastest pace, as the cold is a friend to Edward, of course. When the temperature falls, his normally jaunty step is transformed to a run of pure joy, with some jumps and scampers thrown in for good measure, while I, bundled up like a toddler, try valiantly to hold up my end of the leash. But, autumn. Is there any season better suited to long walks with a furry dog than autumn? Overnight it seems, Mother Nature has lit her trees with fire, each one more magnificent than the last, like forest jewelry, more fine and precious than deserved. The air is cleaner, crisper; it enters the body like a cool honeyed tonic and we take great drinks of it as we meander along beneath a sky the very definition of blue. Having spent many a long day just this way as a little girl, nothing makes me feel happier, healthier, or more appreciative of life than walking briskly beside a beloved dog on a most salubrious day. And from the way Edward often looks up at me as we go along, smiling his big happy smile, he obviously feels the same.

From childhood, perhaps you remember this poem by
Winifred Welles :

Dogs and Weather

I’d like a different dog For every kind of weather -
A narrow greyhound for a fog,
A wolfhound strange and white,
With a tail like a silver feather
To run with in the night,
When snow is still, and winter stars are bright.

In the fall I’d like to see
In answer to my whistle,
A golden spaniel look at me.
But best of all for rain
A terrier, hairy as a thistle,
To trot with fine disdain

Beside me down the soaked, sweet-smelling lane.

40 comments:

  1. "The air is cleaner, crisper; it enters the body like a cool honeyed tonic and we take great drinks of it"

    So true! This is a post after my own heart. Bebbers comes alive in this sort of weather.....as do I.

    Lovely pic of the two of you.

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  2. You paint a beautiful word picture. I must get out more with Willow now she has less pain. Thank you both.
    x

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  3. ". . . it enters the body like a cool honeyed tonic and we take great drinks of it as we meander along beneath a sky the very definition of blue."

    Ahhhhhhhhhh.

    Lavinia and I feel the same way.

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  4. So beautiful! So true. Enjoy these yawning fall days with sir Edward!

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  5. You are so good at painting pictures in the mind with words. That's quite a gift.

    I know my 3 dogs love cooler weather too, especially my 4 year old boxer Lucy. She runs and plays like a puppy. Bless her heart.

    I feel like I had an enjoyable walk too. Thanks for letting us tag along. ♥ ∞

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  6. Alfie can relate. He never jumps as high as over a puddle. And poor Edward has all that fur that gets damp as well. Probably feels as good as wet socks. But oh how they love being outdoors otherwise. He looks like just a happy boy!
    Lisa & Alfie

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  7. My sentiments exactly. Autumn is like a tonic to me, too.

    Wonderful pic!

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  8. " a narrow greyhound for the fog.." Awe..words after my own heart.

    ...What a grand visual your words conjure and what a perfect poem to enhance the tale of your constitutional with Edward.

    I couldn't help but be reminded of our Anastasia and how in the winter ice would form in her long flowing hair. She loved the cold weather and would romp and roll in the snow. Lizzie does, too but Sasha( the greyhound) was chilled to the bone and had very little tolerance for the cold.

    Great post and photo for this crisp November evening...Have a lovely remainder of the weekend.

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  9. I love the picture and your words and the poem! Do you have to worry about snakes?

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  10. What a wonderful poem!
    Wishin' you and Edward an enjoyable week-end.

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  11. Beautifully written as always. It's almost like I'm there too. Thank you for the mental vacations.

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  12. Fall is as invigorating to the soul after a hot summer as is spring after a long winter. I have a fair weather friend as well -- Oliver DOES NOT like to get out in anything except perfect conditions.

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  13. Lovely poem..is there one about cats too:)Beautiful written as always,it feels like I am there with you...

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  14. Ah, you are having a very different autumn than the one we are experiencing- Edward would not like the cold, cold rain which is lashing my window, nor the biting wind. I definitely prefer yours.

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  15. lovely post, Edward seems like a wonderful dog to go walking with

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  16. Autumn is such a beautiful time of year to go on a walk with one's best friend and just enjoy each other's company.

    Melissa

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  17. Edward has very good taste!

    Well, you've got the dog vote here.
    I'll take almost any dog.
    Terriers/ hounds/spaniels/cool mixes.
    (No pit bulls!)
    Do you know Billy Collins poem about the wet dog?

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  18. have never heard the poem - loved it! - Edward would hate it here right now - soggy, soggy, soggy!

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  19. hey, thanks for stopping by my blog, it helped me to find yours too! great posts and links to other great blogs. i'll be busy checking them all out. great photo of edward and you walking. i run and this is my favorite time of year to run. clean air, beautiful changes of the season, just perfect! i'll check back soon! oh...where in the american south do you live. my father was born and raised in tennessee and still lives there. we go for visits often, just beautiful.

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  20. This is sweet and makes me think of my last dog, one I had as a teenager... Lady Samantha Snow, a white cocker spaniel with tan markings. She was a loving and beautiful dog, and I always reminded me of "Lady" from Lady and the Tramp. She loved a good walk but hated wet feet.

    Christi

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  21. What a wonderful writer you are and I commend you for your loyalty to Edward. Great blog.

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  22. Beautiful words and a beautiful poem.

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  23. Such a beautiful photo! Trudy wanted to leap in and join in your walk.

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  24. I love the photo of you and Edward. Wonderful words, as always - great poem too:)

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  25. Lovely, but doesn't he look clean! How does he keep that way?

    Molly hates having her paws trimmed, but with wet and mud and seeds it really is the best way. Fortunately now we've found a lovely groomer who does it well without too much distress, so I don't have to dread the battle. I never mind cool summers really because I know how much happier she is, as long as it doesn't rain too much.

    I'd never come across that poem, it would be good if dogs could shape-shift like that, wouldn't it!

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  26. Such a wonderful photo of you and sweet Edward. Oh how I miss my best friend on my walks.

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  27. and a golden girl and a big red sweetest lug to match the colour of the autumn leaves on our evening walks. sigh ... love from us

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  28. What a lovely time you must be having in the Autumn weather. my girls hate the wet weather but when they see the sun is shining they are like toddlers "can we go out now? Can we go out now?. Then we go on interesting sniffy walks and they unkink their tails. The older 2 ladies forget their age for a while and kick up their heels for the pure joy of feeling the wind in their coats. Then best of all in Autumn is returning pink cheeked and sitting by the fire with a warm drink surrounded by slumbering smiling hounds. Bliss! Does it get any better?

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  29. Oh how Edward is so self aware about his cute personage amidst mother nature's gifts. What a sweet post...and what a sweet dog.

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  30. My Labrador is best in the rain my terriers both dislikes it.

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  31. I have tagged you and Edward. Pop over to mine for the details.
    x

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  32. The wonderment you write of is heavenly.Here now in the northeast we have progressed to the next stage of autumn, almost hovering on the beginning of winter where the north wind blows and walks are often accompanied by snowflakes.
    Madelaine wears her coat as she scurries about in the wet grass, bounding through the leaves as freedom fills her spirit!
    xo Susan

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  33. Great pic of you two...and looks like lovely trails where you are!

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  34. Utterly gorgeous,you leave me breathless as if I was actually there experiencing it all. Thankyou for the reassurance it was most welcome and made my Adrian laugh,it was great to have proof that it is not just me...thanks
    love and hugs Lynn xx

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  35. It's raining here - cats and dogs! Summer rains. Gal and Trist, as Labs, should love the rain. They don't! Decidedly down in the mouth.

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  36. here you are! thank you so much for popping in on my blog. i'll tell you a little secret, i pop in on your blog to see what you're up to, and to delight in the beauty and poetry you share. it was a really nice surprise to receive a message from you. and silly me, i've found courage to leave a message this time.

    these autumn days are gorgeous aren't they...

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  37. what a somptuous walk ! and may i say something silly ? i love your hair !
    :-)

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  38. Hi Pamela & Edward,

    Please go to my blog and pick up a gift at your leisure:
    http://redbirdacres.blogspot.com/2008/11/premio-dardos-award.html

    God bless! Sparky (I'm another Pamela! such a perfect name, don't you think??) :o) ♥ ∞

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!