The United Nations…of sorts
March 21, 2011
Jack, our perfectly fine black dog, lives in the country. He knows no fences so therefore knows all the neighbors, their goats, chickens and various other farm creatures. He is free to roam and yet stays pretty close to home. He has lived this lifestyle his entire life. We are now considering leaving our rural digs for those conveniently located in the heart of Portland. We are ready to trade our endless view, spacious silence and herds of grazing elk for fuel economy, less yard work and a walk to the local library.
Jack is going to have to get used to Dog Parks and off-leash sites around the city…We visited such a playground today. As I watched him romp with a dozen strange pooches I felt like I was at the Canine United Nations. I swear that Moammar Gadhafi of the dog world was there, growling and snapping until his owners leashed him and pulled him out of the fray. Once he was removed the tension in the group subsided. There was Sweden, in the body of an old beagle; curious, but ready to give any other dog, who felt so inclined, the lead. Mexico was represented by a couple of happy chihuhuas…France was bounding about trying to get all the guys to play together. Iran and Iraq kept to themselves somewhat, sticking close to the boarders.
There were different personalities, with different values, beliefs and needs, yet the group got along. There was a bit of struggling for position, some fear to overcome…but all in all there was respect, tolerance and a bit of grace.
I think Jack is going to do just fine. All he wants is to be friends with anybody who will have him. He doesn’t know how to discriminate.
Not a bad way to go through life.
Matters That Matter ® 
March 21, 2011 at 5:17 am
Funny. A country dog becomes a city dog. I can see the book now.
March 21, 2011 at 5:34 am
So love this – you make it all sound so simple and natural – thank you for spreading the beauty!
March 21, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Lessons are all around us — if we only pay attention. Thank you. A perfect offering.
March 21, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Oh so precious!
I can just see sweet lovable Jack now.
I love this sweet post. : )
March 22, 2011 at 6:56 pm
I loved this ~sending you an em~
I wish you, family and Jack a glorious relocation~together you can make it work. If only the world could work together.
March 22, 2011 at 7:50 pm
thanks one and all…Jack is going to be a guiding star as we leave the place we raised our children. Looking ahead to the best of our ability…
March 24, 2011 at 3:17 am
These changes in your life you’re been mulling over are thoughtfully considered and are a great ones for all the obvious reasons oxooxx