Unleashed Joy

“Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift.” ― Mary Oliver, Dog Songs

“But I want to extol not the sweetness nor the placidity of the dog, but the wilderness out of which he cannot step entirely, and from which we benefit. For wilderness is our first home too, and in our wild ride into modernity with all its concerns and problems we need also all the good attachments to that origin that we can keep or restore. Dog is one of the messengers of that rich and still magical first world. The dog would remind us of the pleasures of the body with its graceful physicality, and the acuity and rapture of the senses, and the beauty of forest and ocean and rain and our own breath.” – Mary Oliver, Dog Songs

Off leash.
Break trail.
Into the adventures of a romp in the woods.
The adventure of a ball pursued and captured.
Companionship.
Joy.
Pulling us out of self to play and frolic.
Sheer simple delight given without reserve.
Both family and friend.
The gift of unleashed joy.

“Come with me into the woods where spring is
advancing, as it does, no matter what,
not being singular or particular, but one
of the forever gifts, and certainly visible.”
― Mary Oliver, Dog Songs

“Or maybe it’s about the wonderful things that may happen if you break the ropes that are holding you.”
― Mary Oliver, Dog Songs