Sunday, November 7, 2010

A world of wonder, love and awe.




Sunday morning. The village is quiet at the best of times but on a Sunday morning it has the feel of a world long gone. No cars, no aircraft noise, no people. Only the sound of the hens scrabbling in the verges, the quarrelsome toads arguing in the pond, and the welcome bark of Jerome, the old black labrador, as he greets Wilf. The two of them sauntering off together, noses to the ground, in search of excitement. Timeless.

Our walks are shorter now and less frequent. Even rug surfing , meerkat hunting and swing biffing are losing some of their appeal. Rather than do 'boy' things Wilf is getting to the stage where he'd prefer to settle down in the warmth and bustle of the kitchen and dream of turbot braise au beurre d'herbes or filet de chevreuil au jus de noix or , best of all, coconut ice cream.

The changes are small and gradual. The growth on his head has become larger and has been joined in the last few days by a second smaller growth. He continues to eat enthusiastically but without putting on an ounce of weight. The early morning charge out of the front gate now gone, replaced by a more leisurely progress across the village green. Things just take longer to register, careful pondering becoming the norm. Much time is now spent standing in the middle of the road deliberating whether to go right or left. At night he comes, regular as clockwork at nine thirty, and sits staring at us : "You youngsters might want to stay up but it's my bedtime". The routines of a lifetime gently fraying, the trust more absolute than ever.

For 'the font' and myself an unbridled joy in these halcyon , unexpected, moments with our old family friend. Laughter as he scampers noisily through the piles of freshly fallen leaves or explores the drainage ditches or christens the freshly excavated mole hills. For him a safe world of wonder,love and awe. Then those moments when we remember the simple promise made - no pain. Foreknowledge , a dog owners gift and burden in equal measure.

39 comments:

  1. A beautifully written and poignant post, the love for your dog is almost tangible.

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  2. Just seems like a gentle fading.....rather like your village on Sunday.

    May he continue to christen everything around him.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  3. So well put Angus.
    Tears again.
    I don't really know whether I envy you this time or not - with my Saffy I got no warning, but none of this foreknowledge either, or the chance to relish and adore. One moment all was well, the next I faced the unspeakable decision. It caused a lot of screaming and pain....
    I am however, glued to this journey with you all.

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  4. ..indeed the hardest thing is to know when enough is enough....xx

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  5. Old dogs just like old friends..comforting and everlasting..

    Stormy..

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  6. I know all too well the feelings you have as you see the changes in Wilf and the joy and happiness that is felt in the moments when you can totally forget what lies ahead. I hope today has been another day of 'heaven on earth!'

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  7. The ending is our last great gift of love. And I believe they tell us when it's time. In the meantime, every moment is to savour.

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  8. Just focus on the unbridled joy for now - and all of the terrific memories you are creating.

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  9. Thanks for sharing those moments with us Angus, your post is "admirable" and so poignant. Cuddles to you sweet Wilf.

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  10. Things may be different, but they are no less sweet.

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  11. Brings to mind the old saying: "Dog is Man's Best Friend" - how true & how evident in your postings...And, how lucky those of us are that know how true that is...

    We wish we could personally deliver a portion of Coconut Ice Cream to Wilf tonight...

    Please know our love & prayers are with all of you...

    Abby & her Mom xxxxxxoooooo

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  12. woofs, Another "day of grace"...enjoy them...Letting go and losing is the price we have to pay for love...u know that all to well..me gots my paws crossed and mama has u in her prayers..

    b safe,
    rocky

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  13. Your grace and Wilf's dignity and love are touching beyond words. I can only hope that we can muster the same grace and clear vision when we need it. You, the font, and Wilf are a shining example.

    I hope that you find much more wonder, love, and awe.

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  14. Beautifully written. Sweet Wilf. Thinking of you all this morning.

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  15. Thinking of you and Wilf. My dog Henry looks like he could be one of his American cousins. Love will carry you through. Your blog is super.

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  16. Definitely a beautiful post today! Maybe even a bit dearer to my heart than it would have been a few days ago. Wilf's days of grace always strike a chord, though! I'm wishing you more days of grace, wonder and love on your journey!

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  17. Angus - you are a magician with words - maybe one of the benefits of multi-linguism (sp)??? We send lots of loves, strokes and pats to Wilf with so many thoughts of you and Mme.
    Hugs xoxoxo
    Sammie and Avalon and Mom

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  18. Each day is a blessing. I wish for more summers for Wilf and ice-cream too. Enjoy the journey now.. memories of your love for the family fellow will be enough to get you through later on. My love to Wilfee. My thoughts are with him each day. Thank you for sharing your moments.

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  19. The vet told mom the other day, sometimes we dogs hang around cause we love our humans so much, we too can't let go yet. Sounds like Wilf.
    Many more days of leisurely walks, and waiting for ice cream.

    Zach

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  20. This post touched my heart -- "halcyon moments with your old family friend," adorable Wilf who we've all grown to love like a family friend.

    Thank you again for sharing!

    xxx Joan

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  21. Lovely scenery. Looks like it is getting a bitt chillier in your parts of our planet.

    Coconut ice cream is my all time favorite flavor. The local market used to carry it but has discontinued sales of it due to low demand.... boo hoo. Have a lovely day, all!

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  22. Wonderful Post.
    We continue to pray for Wilf and your family as Wilf continues his journey.


    Sheila & Bob
    Mom & Dad to
    Hamish & Rescue Sophie

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  23. Pure recognizable poetry.
    Sending love your way.

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  24. You are both constantly in our thoughts. We pray for more blessed days with Wilf and we thank you for always taking the time to share your moments with him.

    Sending you more healing vibes from us here.

    Love,
    Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max

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  25. you are absolutely doing the very best for Wilf. it's bittersweet and it's true love. painful for you to watch, since you already know the end. Wilf lives for each moment and each moment is the best ever.

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  26. So true. While dogs live in the moment, we humans do not. Having the knowledge but staying and appreciating the present is the grace of sharing time with a wonderful furry friend. Please give Wilf an ear-scratch from me.

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  27. such beauty in your words angus - loves and licks xxx

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  28. Such golden days of grace – precious memories and pertinent changes intertwined.

    Thinking of you all and sending love to Wilf,
    Riley and his mum

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  29. I am so glad you did not get a puppy. These days are yours and Wilf's. Your ability to share them so lyrically in words is a gift I treasure every day. You are always in my prayers.

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  30. We send you our love - we give you our love.

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  31. You are a wonderful example of caring relationships, intimacy and love. Thank you for sharing your days with Wilf, celebrating life.

    xxoo
    Jake and Fergi

    thank you, as well, for helping to draw attention to the Worldwide Moment on Sunday next weekend. You can be sure that thoughts will be on the wind to you.

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  32. beautiful, beautiful post. i am speechless, only to say that it would be the hugest compliment for someone to tell me that i loved my dogs as much as you and the font love wilf.

    the booker man and asa's mama

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  33. We've all heard the words...a faithful companion....man's best friend...

    But you make these words come to life...bringing the threads of your hooman lives together with those of your dogs...forming a lovely quilt of memories....

    And we get to share with you...we are blessed indeed!

    Love to all,

    Scruffy, Lacie and Stanny

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  34. I'm so glad you have this time with Wilf, as difficult as it is knowing what lies ahead.

    Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Angus.

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  35. Foreknoledge...one world to sum up the human condition.

    You all are in our thoughts everyday.

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