Friends of the Famous - Q

In her book “Good Dog…Stay” Pulitzer prize-winning columnist and consummate novelist  Anna Quindlen writes “The life of a good dog is like the life of a good person, only shorter and more compressed”  as she shares with trademark wit and wisdom the experience of growing older with her beloved black Lab, Beau. A must read for any dog-lover or anyone who’s ever wondered how much easier life could be if we could all just raise our noses to the air from time to time and holler “I smell bacon”!

In the truly heart-warming Japanese production of Quill; the life of a Guide dog, a yellow lab plays the starring role and delivers his best throughout the entire film based on a true story of his early trainers, Quill’s journey, and how they meet up again much later. Artfully interspersed, subtle humor blends well with bittersweet moments that resonate in this documentary-type validation of service animals and the real-life roles they play in society.

Quixall Crosset deserves honorable mention for being the all-time champion losing racehorse in Britain’s history that, despite showing best countless times, had over 100 starts without a win.  In 1998, having surpassed the record of 74 continuous losses he earned the nickname “Sultan of Slow” yet remained in the, ah, running another four years (he was then 17 years old!) before his owner was expressly requested to desist his racing career.  And while Quixall Crosset won’t be bringing up the rear at the tracks anymore he can still claim one victory, and that is over America’s Zippy Chippy, whose career was slightly less dreadful. Who said winners have to finish first?

  

Good News: Quills from our friend the porcupine have inspired a team at Harvard to design needles that deliver less-painful injections. 

 Happy Wednesday!

Cowboy etiquette

Whisper of a Falling Tree

"In the woods we return to reason and faith." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

When the first crack echoed through the forest, only the birds and squirrels took notice and scattered as branches began to snap. "Don't despair the sunlight, behold the forest large,” he whispered. And a few short years went by…

It was one of those beautiful summer days when the stream sparkles with the freshness of spring and every green is new as I sought my favorite shelter; my sturdy, shady tree with a front-seat view of a vibrant yellow meadow hosting a butterfly convention, that I realized the tree had fallen. And the shimmering aspens whispered “He told you…”

While we can’t always wish away the changes in life or nature, we can direct the impact to a tolerable degree through acceptance and belief in the natural order of love and life and nature. A baby’s first cry in a loved one’s last sigh… I stood in the sunlight and blinked away tears until I gaped in astonished wonder at four knee-high saplings where my fallen tree had stood! And a few short years went by…

On a recent visit to our summer retreat my grandson pitched his little tent between the four impressively tall former saplings as I sat with my books beneath my newest favorite tree. Having found the old pine with initials carved by a high school flame, my daughter reported the initials were carved much higher than she remembered (Ha!) as I fondly gazed at the meadow where, after a nature walk with her father, my (then) seven year-old proclaimed that her daddy knew more about (animal) poop than anyone in the whole world! Kids and nature; one of the most rewarding combinations.

In fact, nature played a really big part in the creation of “Beanie’s Backyard” as it was a lizard, a very sneaky lizard who peeked through the window and caught the gaze of a toddler engaged in employing all tactics; writhing, screaming, rolling etc., to avoid having his diaper changed and--the magical gaze held! Long enough for the diaper change, and long enough to foster an insatiable interest in lizards and the outdoors as well.

Are you thinking about an upcoming vacation? Do you have an inspiring vacation story to share? Do you enjoy the outdoors, or room service? Hiking or repelling? I’d love to hear your thoughts!