A man may smile and bid you hail
Yet wish you to the devil;
But when a good dog wags his tail,
You know he’s on the level.
~Author Unknown
I read with interest that canines are endorsing candidates in this year’s presidential election over at Paula Reed’s blog and thought I would share this with you. It is said that we should trust children and pets instincts toward people and I couldn’t agree more.
Senator John McCain was speaking when my nine year old grandson arrived just after the presidential debate began Friday evening. He was not happy when I informed him that the tv was mine for the next two hours. He reminded me that I rarely watch tv and wanted to know why I was going to watch that “mean old man.” I once again explained to him how important it was to be informed as to how our government worked and who was going to run it. He then pulled out a book and took over the recliner.
Part way through the debate, “R” said, “Ya know grandma, even Ike would never let that mean man in the White House!” I told him that he might have a good point there but that I thought that Ike would try kindness and love to soothe McCain first before making judgement on him. “R” immediately said, “Nope it wouldn’t work. McCain is too mean and would growl and attact first and kick Ike and then push you out of the away grandma.” Sadly, I had to laugh because I was sure he was right.
Ike was a typical love everyone, silly, happy golden retriever. But with his happy demeaner came a wisdom and intelligence that only dogs of his kind have. He was my best friend and soul mate. We spent 14 years conversing and traveling together through the good times and rough times. Often I read passages from books out loud to him as he rested his chin on my lap or foot. He was very intuitive and and always guided me down the right path. As silly as my Ike was, his wisdom always prevailed. He even saved me from getting lost one day as we hiked in the wilderness of the Adirondack mountains. He had planted himself on the beginning of a path I had not chosen on our return down one of the many mountains. No matter what I said he would not move. Who knows where I may have ended up if I had ingored him and took the path I had chosen!
Ike rarely barked and those few times he did so for good reason. It’s been over a year since he has left this life for another life but his spirit lives on, still guiding and protecting me.
Right now Ike’s spirit is whispering to me, “BARaK,
BARaK,
BARaK!’
Peace!
