Have you seen the quirky talked-about t.v. show Portlandia? It explains a lot. We do things differently around here. Even our dogs eat their antioxidants. What you can’t see in the photograph is that all three pals are waiting patiently for blueberries.
My blueberry bushes are full of flowers now and in just a matter of weeks, I will be competing with Fly for the berries. She will oh-so-casually meander by the bushes and raise her upper lip to gum a blueberry when she thinks I am not looking.
We love our dogs in Portland. And we really love them in my neighborhood, that throwback to another time I’ve written about in an earlier post. So, here are some of the locals: Frankie, Jameson and our dog, Fly, the Border Collie.
They are really into their antioxidants. Of course they are. It’s Portland.
I hope you enjoy this terrific poem by Billy Collins, poet laureate of the United States from 2001-2003. It is called Dharma and says a lot about why we love man’s best friend (even as they terrorize the cat).
The sun is out; everybody is gardening and walking their dogs. Doesn’t get better than that.
Seems like you are a dog lover. Me too. I adopted two sweetest dogs from kill-shelter in Georgia. It’s heartening to see that those dogs were in kill shelter and were going to be euthanized. By the way, my dogs also eat all those – apple, banana, nuts and other fruits, carrot and other vegetables.
Hi KL, I wonder if a lot of people know they can train their dogs using things like carrots–they love the sweetness of them. I visited your website and it is wonderful. I like that you said you feel you wander this earth as a visitor, I feel that way often. Also loved your photo of the Kalaloch Cedar on the Olympic Peninsula. Yes, old “Treebeard” does seem the epitome of the Tree-ENT. Thank you for that image!
Dogs waiting for blueberries! Sweet and Portland-quirky. In San Francisco dogs have their own bakery, Le Marcel on Union Street–cookies, treats, birthday cakes, all for doggies. Thanks for the Billy Collins poem. It’s wonderful.
So we are not the only nut-jobs! (I’m sure it’s a nationwide phenomenon) We Americans love our dogs. Wasn’t that Billy Collins poem just marvelous? I’ve heard Jack Kornfield ends his reading of the poem by adding the word “fallible”, as in “I wish I wasn’t her (fallible) god.”
That was such a fantastic day in Portland, and those are special dogs. Of course, the most graceful, well behaved is our dear Fly Girl. According to our vet, Frankie needs to be eating far less 🙂 Frankie walks me to your house daily and Katharine’s too. Thanks for the wonderful post Susie!
FlyGirl has her moments too, trust me. It is funny that Frankie stops in front of our house and plants her sizable feet, refusing to budge until somebody comes out to greet her. Those vets, they are food nazis. It is so hard not to give out those dog treats.
Cute dogs and I must admit that I have never had a dog, but do enjoy visiting with all the dogs that are on our street…I have two orange tabbies… Thank you for the supportive comments and for saying that I am a gardener. I only started planting and learning several years ago so I am in early training. I was hoping for several big projects this year, but it will be smaller but just as enjoyable..Oh and I enjoyed the column you had noted in a previous post..Michelle
Thank you Michelle, it is great to have you visit. I have a photo to send in for your Tuesday Nature Notes meme. I guess I just send it to your email directly? Anyway, as you say, your projects may be less ambitious this year, but that will change. May you be healing a little bit more each day.
Susie,
My three dogs love blueberries, too! They’ll sit in front of me salivating whenever I eat them. Of course, I always share! 🙂