Red sounds wonderful - instinctive, intuitive, wise, loving.
It's a description i would use for my no-quite-2 Jack Russell. He has more wisdom than I will ever have. Is curious, very quiet mostly and observes from amber eyes that have seen millenia of life. We've had 9 Jackies and this little man is from another world, I swear.
He's lying at my feet now and honestly, I love that he chooses to be my teacher.
Hey Prue. I do. Completely. I often think we’re convinced we’re the ones training them, when really it’s the other way round. Your little Jack Russell sounds extraordinary, especially those “amber eyes that have seen millennia of life.” What a beautiful way to describe him. Here’s to our four-legged teachers. 🐾 X
Oh Claire, aren't dogs amazing? Lab mixes are some of my favorites too.
This was such a fantastic line: "The greatest thing Red has taught me is that the world is constantly communicating with us and we have become very good at not listening."
Puppyhood arrived like a small ginger tornado. :-) I cannot even write about the dogs I've lost without breaking down into gulping, horrible sobs. Thank you so much for sharing.
Oh I know, Jessica. They never really leave us, do they? They’ll always be by our side. I think that’s the price, and the privilege, of loving them so deeply. I’m so glad Red’s story spoke to your heart. X
What a wonderful share! It is true, we grow up and get way too serious. I think my favorite moment in your ode to our friends the dog, was “ He loved completely while they were there.” What perfection. We could learn so much about life from our dogs. ❤️
Thank you so much. I’m so glad that line resonated. Dogs have such a beautiful way of loving without conditions or clocks. We really do have a lot to learn from them. X
This is so beautifully observed and full of heart. Thank you for sharing the quiet wisdom that comes from loving deeply and letting go with grace. Your words are a gentle reminder to greet each day and each soul with wonder.
Thank you so much. I’m so touched that you found that in Red’s story. He has been one of my greatest teachers, and I’m so glad his wisdom resonated with you too. X
Lovely, as always Claire. It reminds me of the time I lived with my Son’s Dad in his Grandparents house. I had been scared of dogs, because my Dad was. Spike soon taught me dogs are full of love and joy. I overcame my fear quickly, loving every moment with him 💜🐶
Claire, Red’s silvering muzzle gives the essay a clock, while Jake, your father, and the children give that clock emotional consequence. His instinct to lie across you after hospital weekends makes companionship feel like wisdom enacted through presence, with no explanation required. “A house can hold memories. But it takes a heartbeat to make it home” becomes the hinge connecting every departure, return, and paw print across the farmhouse. Your closing turns leadlessness into a disciplined openness to joy, grief, change, and the ordinary morning still asking for our full attention.
You’ve spotted all the breadcrumbs I left behind. His silver muzzle has been my little metronome for a while now, even if Red remains blissfully convinced he’s still two. I suspect the only clock he’s interested in is the one that tells him it’s breakfast time. 🐾 X
Claire, your “little metronome” reveals the double life of loving an aging animal: you hear time advancing while Red keeps greeting each morning as though joy has no calendar. His breakfast clock offers its own wisdom, returning attention to appetite, routine, and the next ordinary pleasure waiting to be claimed. The silver muzzle measures the years for you, while his comic certainty keeps the essay alive with the personality that made those years matter. Thank you for letting Red’s mischief carry part of the truth about loving him.
😭😭😭
I don't have words at the moment....
There were so many layers that resonated with my life and soul.
Just beautiful...🧡
Lovely 💕
Perfect revelation of a partnership with dogs.
Red sounds wonderful - instinctive, intuitive, wise, loving.
It's a description i would use for my no-quite-2 Jack Russell. He has more wisdom than I will ever have. Is curious, very quiet mostly and observes from amber eyes that have seen millenia of life. We've had 9 Jackies and this little man is from another world, I swear.
He's lying at my feet now and honestly, I love that he chooses to be my teacher.
I suspect you feel the same about Red.
Hey Prue. I do. Completely. I often think we’re convinced we’re the ones training them, when really it’s the other way round. Your little Jack Russell sounds extraordinary, especially those “amber eyes that have seen millennia of life.” What a beautiful way to describe him. Here’s to our four-legged teachers. 🐾 X
Oh Claire, aren't dogs amazing? Lab mixes are some of my favorites too.
This was such a fantastic line: "The greatest thing Red has taught me is that the world is constantly communicating with us and we have become very good at not listening."
Thank you, Stephanie. Red’s so wonderfully uncomplicated.
He reminds me daily to pay attention, to notice, and not to rush past the ordinary. I’m so lucky he found us.. 🐾 X
I giggled, cried, smiled...... thank you. A lovely, cherished story. Red has a gorgeous soul. 🐶
Red really does have the gentlest soul, I’ve learnt far more from him than he’ll ever know. 🐾 X
Puppyhood arrived like a small ginger tornado. :-) I cannot even write about the dogs I've lost without breaking down into gulping, horrible sobs. Thank you so much for sharing.
Oh I know, Jessica. They never really leave us, do they? They’ll always be by our side. I think that’s the price, and the privilege, of loving them so deeply. I’m so glad Red’s story spoke to your heart. X
They really don't...I'm haunted in the best possible way; even my angry little Shiba Inu's ghost is a comfort.
What a wonderful share! It is true, we grow up and get way too serious. I think my favorite moment in your ode to our friends the dog, was “ He loved completely while they were there.” What perfection. We could learn so much about life from our dogs. ❤️
Thank you so much. I’m so glad that line resonated. Dogs have such a beautiful way of loving without conditions or clocks. We really do have a lot to learn from them. X
Absolutely exquisite. This one touched me deeply and made my day. Thank You.
Thank you so much. I’m so grateful Red’s story found its way to your heart. X
This is so beautifully observed and full of heart. Thank you for sharing the quiet wisdom that comes from loving deeply and letting go with grace. Your words are a gentle reminder to greet each day and each soul with wonder.
Thank you so much. I’m so touched that you found that in Red’s story. He has been one of my greatest teachers, and I’m so glad his wisdom resonated with you too. X
Lovely, as always Claire. It reminds me of the time I lived with my Son’s Dad in his Grandparents house. I had been scared of dogs, because my Dad was. Spike soon taught me dogs are full of love and joy. I overcame my fear quickly, loving every moment with him 💜🐶
Claire, Red’s silvering muzzle gives the essay a clock, while Jake, your father, and the children give that clock emotional consequence. His instinct to lie across you after hospital weekends makes companionship feel like wisdom enacted through presence, with no explanation required. “A house can hold memories. But it takes a heartbeat to make it home” becomes the hinge connecting every departure, return, and paw print across the farmhouse. Your closing turns leadlessness into a disciplined openness to joy, grief, change, and the ordinary morning still asking for our full attention.
You’ve spotted all the breadcrumbs I left behind. His silver muzzle has been my little metronome for a while now, even if Red remains blissfully convinced he’s still two. I suspect the only clock he’s interested in is the one that tells him it’s breakfast time. 🐾 X
Claire, your “little metronome” reveals the double life of loving an aging animal: you hear time advancing while Red keeps greeting each morning as though joy has no calendar. His breakfast clock offers its own wisdom, returning attention to appetite, routine, and the next ordinary pleasure waiting to be claimed. The silver muzzle measures the years for you, while his comic certainty keeps the essay alive with the personality that made those years matter. Thank you for letting Red’s mischief carry part of the truth about loving him.