A dogs dream

I walk my dog Edward in an area where a pack of coyotes have recently decided to claim as their home.In the beginning Ed wanted nothing to do with his fellow ancestors, and often went the other way when he heard their howls in the distance. But lately I have noticed an interesting change in my geriatric dog. (Well OK 9s not geriatric, but it sounds more dramatic than middle aged dog, so I’m sticking with it)

It happened rather suddenly….. now when Ed hears the call of several coyotes in the distance instead of turning to go the opposite way, he sits down in the middle of the trail throws his head back, and howls along with them. His voice is deep, and passionate with a sadness to his tone that could only enhance its beauty .His spirit is so full of emotion it is impossible to deny the meaning. As Ed finishes his one dog opera I notice a spark in his eyes that seems to grow more intense with each passing moment .He stares in the direction of his new friends, and I have to wonder if he is dreaming of a life of freedom. Does he run with his pack  as they hunt deer and small rabbits together, and after a satisfying dinner of fresh prey will he sleep under the stars in a den he made from the earth? He probably does not even miss his fancy bed with the fluffy pillows as he has his companions to keep him warm. I wonder if his arthritis no longer bothers him in his other world. Is he is young again and strong, the alpha of his pack?

After a few moments I notice a change in his beautiful face, just as fast as that spark appeared it is now gone .He looks as if he awoke from a dream only to realize the hard truth that can only come from the cold reality of time. The remainder of his days will not include any late night howls at the moon, but is far more likely to entail getting chauffeured to and from the beach in a silly looking car for play dates with his suburban dog friends .Eds eyes glaze over a tiny bit as he accepts that Freedom is a luxury reserved only for the strong He yawns while looking out of the car window on the drive home, it is time for breakfast and a

nap.