Tiny Animals I bring four Animal Crackers with me into the study, pick one up and say softly to BuDa-behind-my-eye, “BuDa, this is a tiny hippopotamus.” I offer it carefully to the air. I pick up another Animal Cracker and speak confidentially to BuDa-in-my-memory as if revealing a secret between us, “BuDa, this is a tiny rhinoceros.” I love watching his keen anticipation. He takes each Animal Cracker gently into his mouth and chews it with relish. He knows that I usually offer just two; he hesitates briefly, just in case there is a third, then lies down at my feet. By now I am heart broken and my tears well up and out and down my cheek. Yet I give thanks to the Creator of dogs and humans, especially brindle Boxers who remind me of the Boxer named Gretchen of my childhood, who died chasing a car when I was in fourth grade. She disappeared one day without a trace. It was the only time I remember my mother crying. I don't remember crying, but perhaps my heart has remembered the deep, unattended sadness. I have wanted to own a Boxer for many years; unfinished heart work might have been calling for attention. So I give thanks to the Creator of human emotions, tear glands, the 14,000-year evolution of the human-dog partnership, and BuDa, our barely-young-adult Boxer who died of a broken heart—a congenital heart disease that left him weak and breathless—on January 11, 2025. Sadly, sometimes evolution veers off on mortal tangents. It’s a known thing among Boxers. Thankfully, evolution’s main mission is to find paths that allow all that is to change: for lava to become land, for green leaves to create oxygen, for animals to survive the chaos of evolving and for human beings, the ability to see when it’s time to evolve. When the familiar beloved dies, a broken heart can open to something like light that changes us. Plants reflexively turn toward the light. For human beings, darkness reveals a grand paradox: darkness becomes light and light reveals the way of being made new. I give thanks to the Holy Mysterious Creator for the efficacy of this tiny ritual that has brought tears to my eyes, memories to my mind, life and depth to my heart and the conviction that I can become the one I have always yearned to be. David — David Dunn Creative Companion/Personal Publishing 720-314-5991 dmdunn1@gmail.com Skype: dmirror
thanks, David On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM David Dunn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
*Tiny Animals*
I bring four Animal Crackers with me into the study, pick one up and say softly to BuDa-behind-my-eye, “BuDa, this is a tiny hippopotamus.” I offer it carefully to the air. I pick up another Animal Cracker and speak confidentially to BuDa-in-my-memory as if revealing a secret between us, “BuDa, this is a tiny rhinoceros.” I love watching his keen anticipation.
He takes each Animal Cracker gently into his mouth and chews it with relish. He knows that I usually offer just two; he hesitates briefly, just in case there is a third, then lies down at my feet. By now I am heart broken and my tears well up and out and down my cheek.
Yet I give thanks to the Creator of dogs and humans, especially brindle Boxers who remind me of the Boxer named Gretchen of my childhood, who died chasing a car when I was in fourth grade. She disappeared one day without a trace. It was the only time I remember my mother crying. I don't remember crying, but perhaps my heart has remembered the deep, unattended sadness.
I have wanted to own a Boxer for many years; unfinished heart work might have been calling for attention. So I give thanks to the Creator of human emotions, tear glands, the 14,000-year evolution of the human-dog partnership, and BuDa, our barely-young-adult Boxer who died of a broken heart—a congenital heart disease that left him weak and breathless—on January 11, 2025. Sadly, sometimes evolution veers off on mortal tangents. It’s a known thing among Boxers.
Thankfully, evolution’s main mission is to find paths that allow all that is to change: for lava to become land, for green leaves to create oxygen, for animals to survive the chaos of evolving and for human beings, the ability to see when it’s time to evolve. When the familiar beloved dies, a broken heart can open to something like light that changes us. Plants reflexively turn toward the light. For human beings, darkness reveals a grand paradox: darkness becomes light and light reveals the way of being made new.
I give thanks to the Holy Mysterious Creator for the efficacy of this tiny ritual that has brought tears to my eyes, memories to my mind, life and depth to my heart and the conviction that I can become the one I have always yearned to be.
David
—
David Dunn Creative Companion/Personal Publishing
[image: DMD email sig photo small-Nov2012.jpg]
720-314-5991 dmdunn1@gmail.com Skype: dmirror
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-- Richard H. T. Alton ICA Global Fund The Last Chapter United Methodist Net Zero T: 773.344.7172 richard.alton@gmail.com Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2 Won't you be my neighbor?
Dear David, it remember when BuDa arrived in your lives! Such a blessing he has been. And yes, he has deepened your writing/loving capacity. I love your note to all of us!💖 Sent from my iPhone On Mar 3, 2025, at 8:35 PM, Isobel and Jim via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: My thanks David Isobel xo Isobel Bishop Mob. 0412 129 425 On 4 Mar 2025, at 11:49 am, Richard Alton via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: thanks, David On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM David Dunn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net<mailto:oe@lists.wedgeblade.net>> wrote: Tiny Animals I bring four Animal Crackers with me into the study, pick one up and say softly to BuDa-behind-my-eye, “BuDa, this is a tiny hippopotamus.” I offer it carefully to the air. I pick up another Animal Cracker and speak confidentially to BuDa-in-my-memory as if revealing a secret between us, “BuDa, this is a tiny rhinoceros.” I love watching his keen anticipation. He takes each Animal Cracker gently into his mouth and chews it with relish. He knows that I usually offer just two; he hesitates briefly, just in case there is a third, then lies down at my feet. By now I am heart broken and my tears well up and out and down my cheek. Yet I give thanks to the Creator of dogs and humans, especially brindle Boxers who remind me of the Boxer named Gretchen of my childhood, who died chasing a car when I was in fourth grade. She disappeared one day without a trace. It was the only time I remember my mother crying. I don't remember crying, but perhaps my heart has remembered the deep, unattended sadness. I have wanted to own a Boxer for many years; unfinished heart work might have been calling for attention. So I give thanks to the Creator of human emotions, tear glands, the 14,000-year evolution of the human-dog partnership, and BuDa, our barely-young-adult Boxer who died of a broken heart—a congenital heart disease that left him weak and breathless—on January 11, 2025. Sadly, sometimes evolution veers off on mortal tangents. It’s a known thing among Boxers. Thankfully, evolution’s main mission is to find paths that allow all that is to change: for lava to become land, for green leaves to create oxygen, for animals to survive the chaos of evolving and for human beings, the ability to see when it’s time to evolve. When the familiar beloved dies, a broken heart can open to something like light that changes us. Plants reflexively turn toward the light. For human beings, darkness reveals a grand paradox: darkness becomes light and light reveals the way of being made new. I give thanks to the Holy Mysterious Creator for the efficacy of this tiny ritual that has brought tears to my eyes, memories to my mind, life and depth to my heart and the conviction that I can become the one I have always yearned to be. David — David Dunn Creative Companion/Personal Publishing <DMD email sig photo small-Nov2012.jpg> 720-314-5991 dmdunn1@gmail.com<mailto:dmdunn1@gmail.com> Skype: dmirror _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net<mailto:OE@lists.wedgeblade.net> http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net -- Richard H. T. Alton ICA Global Fund The Last Chapter United Methodist Net Zero T: 773.344.7172 richard.alton@gmail.com<mailto:richard.alton@gmail.com> Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2 Won't you be my neighbor? _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
As a more recent dog owner/adorer (from long-term cat lover), this really touched me. Thank you for sharing. May the memories continue to sustain you. To future Boxers in your life, Sunny On Mon, Mar 3, 2025, 5:02 PM David Dunn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
*Tiny Animals*
I bring four Animal Crackers with me into the study, pick one up and say softly to BuDa-behind-my-eye, “BuDa, this is a tiny hippopotamus.” I offer it carefully to the air. I pick up another Animal Cracker and speak confidentially to BuDa-in-my-memory as if revealing a secret between us, “BuDa, this is a tiny rhinoceros.” I love watching his keen anticipation.
He takes each Animal Cracker gently into his mouth and chews it with relish. He knows that I usually offer just two; he hesitates briefly, just in case there is a third, then lies down at my feet. By now I am heart broken and my tears well up and out and down my cheek.
Yet I give thanks to the Creator of dogs and humans, especially brindle Boxers who remind me of the Boxer named Gretchen of my childhood, who died chasing a car when I was in fourth grade. She disappeared one day without a trace. It was the only time I remember my mother crying. I don't remember crying, but perhaps my heart has remembered the deep, unattended sadness.
I have wanted to own a Boxer for many years; unfinished heart work might have been calling for attention. So I give thanks to the Creator of human emotions, tear glands, the 14,000-year evolution of the human-dog partnership, and BuDa, our barely-young-adult Boxer who died of a broken heart—a congenital heart disease that left him weak and breathless—on January 11, 2025. Sadly, sometimes evolution veers off on mortal tangents. It’s a known thing among Boxers.
Thankfully, evolution’s main mission is to find paths that allow all that is to change: for lava to become land, for green leaves to create oxygen, for animals to survive the chaos of evolving and for human beings, the ability to see when it’s time to evolve. When the familiar beloved dies, a broken heart can open to something like light that changes us. Plants reflexively turn toward the light. For human beings, darkness reveals a grand paradox: darkness becomes light and light reveals the way of being made new.
I give thanks to the Holy Mysterious Creator for the efficacy of this tiny ritual that has brought tears to my eyes, memories to my mind, life and depth to my heart and the conviction that I can become the one I have always yearned to be.
David
—
David Dunn Creative Companion/Personal Publishing
[image: DMD email sig photo small-Nov2012.jpg]
720-314-5991 dmdunn1@gmail.com Skype: dmirror
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Thank you David, The tears and wonder of grief. Paul
On 4 Mar 2025, at 00:01, David Dunn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Tiny Animals
I bring four Animal Crackers with me into the study, pick one up and say softly to BuDa-behind-my-eye, “BuDa, this is a tiny hippopotamus.” I offer it carefully to the air. I pick up another Animal Cracker and speak confidentially to BuDa-in-my-memory as if revealing a secret between us, “BuDa, this is a tiny rhinoceros.” I love watching his keen anticipation.
He takes each Animal Cracker gently into his mouth and chews it with relish. He knows that I usually offer just two; he hesitates briefly, just in case there is a third, then lies down at my feet. By now I am heart broken and my tears well up and out and down my cheek.
Yet I give thanks to the Creator of dogs and humans, especially brindle Boxers who remind me of the Boxer named Gretchen of my childhood, who died chasing a car when I was in fourth grade. She disappeared one day without a trace. It was the only time I remember my mother crying. I don't remember crying, but perhaps my heart has remembered the deep, unattended sadness.
I have wanted to own a Boxer for many years; unfinished heart work might have been calling for attention. So I give thanks to the Creator of human emotions, tear glands, the 14,000-year evolution of the human-dog partnership, and BuDa, our barely-young-adult Boxer who died of a broken heart—a congenital heart disease that left him weak and breathless—on January 11, 2025. Sadly, sometimes evolution veers off on mortal tangents. It’s a known thing among Boxers.
Thankfully, evolution’s main mission is to find paths that allow all that is to change: for lava to become land, for green leaves to create oxygen, for animals to survive the chaos of evolving and for human beings, the ability to see when it’s time to evolve. When the familiar beloved dies, a broken heart can open to something like light that changes us. Plants reflexively turn toward the light. For human beings, darkness reveals a grand paradox: darkness becomes light and light reveals the way of being made new.
I give thanks to the Holy Mysterious Creator for the efficacy of this tiny ritual that has brought tears to my eyes, memories to my mind, life and depth to my heart and the conviction that I can become the one I have always yearned to be.
David
—
David Dunn Creative Companion/Personal Publishing
720-314-5991 dmdunn1@gmail.com Skype: dmirror
_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
They worm their way into our hearts and leave a hole when they leave us. Milan Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 3, 2025, at 10:24 PM, PAUL SCHRIJNEN via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you David,
The tears and wonder of grief.
Paul
On 4 Mar 2025, at 00:01, David Dunn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Tiny Animals
I bring four Animal Crackers with me into the study, pick one up and say softly to BuDa-behind-my-eye, “BuDa, this is a tiny hippopotamus.” I offer it carefully to the air. I pick up another Animal Cracker and speak confidentially to BuDa-in-my-memory as if revealing a secret between us, “BuDa, this is a tiny rhinoceros.” I love watching his keen anticipation.
He takes each Animal Cracker gently into his mouth and chews it with relish. He knows that I usually offer just two; he hesitates briefly, just in case there is a third, then lies down at my feet. By now I am heart broken and my tears well up and out and down my cheek.
Yet I give thanks to the Creator of dogs and humans, especially brindle Boxers who remind me of the Boxer named Gretchen of my childhood, who died chasing a car when I was in fourth grade. She disappeared one day without a trace. It was the only time I remember my mother crying. I don't remember crying, but perhaps my heart has remembered the deep, unattended sadness.
I have wanted to own a Boxer for many years; unfinished heart work might have been calling for attention. So I give thanks to the Creator of human emotions, tear glands, the 14,000-year evolution of the human-dog partnership, and BuDa, our barely-young-adult Boxer who died of a broken heart—a congenital heart disease that left him weak and breathless—on January 11, 2025. Sadly, sometimes evolution veers off on mortal tangents. It’s a known thing among Boxers.
Thankfully, evolution’s main mission is to find paths that allow all that is to change: for lava to become land, for green leaves to create oxygen, for animals to survive the chaos of evolving and for human beings, the ability to see when it’s time to evolve. When the familiar beloved dies, a broken heart can open to something like light that changes us. Plants reflexively turn toward the light. For human beings, darkness reveals a grand paradox: darkness becomes light and light reveals the way of being made new.
I give thanks to the Holy Mysterious Creator for the efficacy of this tiny ritual that has brought tears to my eyes, memories to my mind, life and depth to my heart and the conviction that I can become the one I have always yearned to be.
David
—
David Dunn Creative Companion/Personal Publishing
720-314-5991 dmdunn1@gmail.com Skype: dmirror
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Thank you for your kind sharing. Reminds me of Skippy and Lady who were dear friends, Mary Laura Mary Laura Jones Grants Resource Development Consultant 53599 Pulver Road Three Rivers, MI 49093 cell: 773 636-2022 mljones2022@gmail.com On Tue, Mar 4, 2025 at 10:42 AM Linda and Milan Hamilton via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
They worm their way into our hearts and leave a hole when they leave us. Milan Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 3, 2025, at 10:24 PM, PAUL SCHRIJNEN via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you David,
The tears and wonder of grief.
Paul
On 4 Mar 2025, at 00:01, David Dunn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
*Tiny Animals*
I bring four Animal Crackers with me into the study, pick one up and say softly to BuDa-behind-my-eye, “BuDa, this is a tiny hippopotamus.” I offer it carefully to the air. I pick up another Animal Cracker and speak confidentially to BuDa-in-my-memory as if revealing a secret between us, “BuDa, this is a tiny rhinoceros.” I love watching his keen anticipation.
He takes each Animal Cracker gently into his mouth and chews it with relish. He knows that I usually offer just two; he hesitates briefly, just in case there is a third, then lies down at my feet. By now I am heart broken and my tears well up and out and down my cheek.
Yet I give thanks to the Creator of dogs and humans, especially brindle Boxers who remind me of the Boxer named Gretchen of my childhood, who died chasing a car when I was in fourth grade. She disappeared one day without a trace. It was the only time I remember my mother crying. I don't remember crying, but perhaps my heart has remembered the deep, unattended sadness.
I have wanted to own a Boxer for many years; unfinished heart work might have been calling for attention. So I give thanks to the Creator of human emotions, tear glands, the 14,000-year evolution of the human-dog partnership, and BuDa, our barely-young-adult Boxer who died of a broken heart—a congenital heart disease that left him weak and breathless—on January 11, 2025. Sadly, sometimes evolution veers off on mortal tangents. It’s a known thing among Boxers.
Thankfully, evolution’s main mission is to find paths that allow all that is to change: for lava to become land, for green leaves to create oxygen, for animals to survive the chaos of evolving and for human beings, the ability to see when it’s time to evolve. When the familiar beloved dies, a broken heart can open to something like light that changes us. Plants reflexively turn toward the light. For human beings, darkness reveals a grand paradox: darkness becomes light and light reveals the way of being made new.
I give thanks to the Holy Mysterious Creator for the efficacy of this tiny ritual that has brought tears to my eyes, memories to my mind, life and depth to my heart and the conviction that I can become the one I have always yearned to be.
David
—
David Dunn Creative Companion/Personal Publishing
720-314-5991 dmdunn1@gmail.com Skype: dmirror
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Thank you, David. In memory of my many 4-legged friends over the years, Jann McGuire Arroyo Grande, CA On Tue, Mar 4, 2025 at 9:10 AM ML Jones via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you for your kind sharing. Reminds me of Skippy and Lady who were dear friends, Mary Laura
Mary Laura Jones Grants Resource Development Consultant 53599 Pulver Road Three Rivers, MI 49093 cell: 773 636-2022 mljones2022@gmail.com
On Tue, Mar 4, 2025 at 10:42 AM Linda and Milan Hamilton via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
They worm their way into our hearts and leave a hole when they leave us. Milan Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 3, 2025, at 10:24 PM, PAUL SCHRIJNEN via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you David,
The tears and wonder of grief.
Paul
On 4 Mar 2025, at 00:01, David Dunn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
*Tiny Animals*
I bring four Animal Crackers with me into the study, pick one up and say softly to BuDa-behind-my-eye, “BuDa, this is a tiny hippopotamus.” I offer it carefully to the air. I pick up another Animal Cracker and speak confidentially to BuDa-in-my-memory as if revealing a secret between us, “BuDa, this is a tiny rhinoceros.” I love watching his keen anticipation.
He takes each Animal Cracker gently into his mouth and chews it with relish. He knows that I usually offer just two; he hesitates briefly, just in case there is a third, then lies down at my feet. By now I am heart broken and my tears well up and out and down my cheek.
Yet I give thanks to the Creator of dogs and humans, especially brindle Boxers who remind me of the Boxer named Gretchen of my childhood, who died chasing a car when I was in fourth grade. She disappeared one day without a trace. It was the only time I remember my mother crying. I don't remember crying, but perhaps my heart has remembered the deep, unattended sadness.
I have wanted to own a Boxer for many years; unfinished heart work might have been calling for attention. So I give thanks to the Creator of human emotions, tear glands, the 14,000-year evolution of the human-dog partnership, and BuDa, our barely-young-adult Boxer who died of a broken heart—a congenital heart disease that left him weak and breathless—on January 11, 2025. Sadly, sometimes evolution veers off on mortal tangents. It’s a known thing among Boxers.
Thankfully, evolution’s main mission is to find paths that allow all that is to change: for lava to become land, for green leaves to create oxygen, for animals to survive the chaos of evolving and for human beings, the ability to see when it’s time to evolve. When the familiar beloved dies, a broken heart can open to something like light that changes us. Plants reflexively turn toward the light. For human beings, darkness reveals a grand paradox: darkness becomes light and light reveals the way of being made new.
I give thanks to the Holy Mysterious Creator for the efficacy of this tiny ritual that has brought tears to my eyes, memories to my mind, life and depth to my heart and the conviction that I can become the one I have always yearned to be.
David
—
David Dunn Creative Companion/Personal Publishing
720-314-5991 dmdunn1@gmail.com Skype: dmirror
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Thank you David.. Your note has me reflecting on Sophia (Russian Blue), Dakini (Havana Brown) and (Oden - Main Coon) beloved furry friends over the years. Beret On Tue, Mar 4, 2025 at 12:23 PM Jann McGuire via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you, David.
In memory of my many 4-legged friends over the years,
Jann McGuire Arroyo Grande, CA
On Tue, Mar 4, 2025 at 9:10 AM ML Jones via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you for your kind sharing. Reminds me of Skippy and Lady who were dear friends, Mary Laura
Mary Laura Jones Grants Resource Development Consultant 53599 Pulver Road Three Rivers, MI 49093 cell: 773 636-2022 mljones2022@gmail.com
On Tue, Mar 4, 2025 at 10:42 AM Linda and Milan Hamilton via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
They worm their way into our hearts and leave a hole when they leave us. Milan Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 3, 2025, at 10:24 PM, PAUL SCHRIJNEN via OE < oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Thank you David,
The tears and wonder of grief.
Paul
On 4 Mar 2025, at 00:01, David Dunn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
*Tiny Animals*
I bring four Animal Crackers with me into the study, pick one up and say softly to BuDa-behind-my-eye, “BuDa, this is a tiny hippopotamus.” I offer it carefully to the air. I pick up another Animal Cracker and speak confidentially to BuDa-in-my-memory as if revealing a secret between us, “BuDa, this is a tiny rhinoceros.” I love watching his keen anticipation.
He takes each Animal Cracker gently into his mouth and chews it with relish. He knows that I usually offer just two; he hesitates briefly, just in case there is a third, then lies down at my feet. By now I am heart broken and my tears well up and out and down my cheek.
Yet I give thanks to the Creator of dogs and humans, especially brindle Boxers who remind me of the Boxer named Gretchen of my childhood, who died chasing a car when I was in fourth grade. She disappeared one day without a trace. It was the only time I remember my mother crying. I don't remember crying, but perhaps my heart has remembered the deep, unattended sadness.
I have wanted to own a Boxer for many years; unfinished heart work might have been calling for attention. So I give thanks to the Creator of human emotions, tear glands, the 14,000-year evolution of the human-dog partnership, and BuDa, our barely-young-adult Boxer who died of a broken heart—a congenital heart disease that left him weak and breathless—on January 11, 2025. Sadly, sometimes evolution veers off on mortal tangents. It’s a known thing among Boxers.
Thankfully, evolution’s main mission is to find paths that allow all that is to change: for lava to become land, for green leaves to create oxygen, for animals to survive the chaos of evolving and for human beings, the ability to see when it’s time to evolve. When the familiar beloved dies, a broken heart can open to something like light that changes us. Plants reflexively turn toward the light. For human beings, darkness reveals a grand paradox: darkness becomes light and light reveals the way of being made new.
I give thanks to the Holy Mysterious Creator for the efficacy of this tiny ritual that has brought tears to my eyes, memories to my mind, life and depth to my heart and the conviction that I can become the one I have always yearned to be.
David
—
David Dunn Creative Companion/Personal Publishing
720-314-5991 dmdunn1@gmail.com Skype: dmirror
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David, having just spent an evening with you and Dear Burna, and having been made aware during that visit of BuDa’s loss, I thank you for your articulation of these tearful memories. Your poetic talent serves us all… -Jim Slotta
On Mar 3, 2025, at 5:01 PM, David Dunn via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Tiny Animals
I bring four Animal Crackers with me into the study, pick one up and say softly to BuDa-behind-my-eye, “BuDa, this is a tiny hippopotamus.” I offer it carefully to the air. I pick up another Animal Cracker and speak confidentially to BuDa-in-my-memory as if revealing a secret between us, “BuDa, this is a tiny rhinoceros.” I love watching his keen anticipation.
He takes each Animal Cracker gently into his mouth and chews it with relish. He knows that I usually offer just two; he hesitates briefly, just in case there is a third, then lies down at my feet. By now I am heart broken and my tears well up and out and down my cheek.
Yet I give thanks to the Creator of dogs and humans, especially brindle Boxers who remind me of the Boxer named Gretchen of my childhood, who died chasing a car when I was in fourth grade. She disappeared one day without a trace. It was the only time I remember my mother crying. I don't remember crying, but perhaps my heart has remembered the deep, unattended sadness.
I have wanted to own a Boxer for many years; unfinished heart work might have been calling for attention. So I give thanks to the Creator of human emotions, tear glands, the 14,000-year evolution of the human-dog partnership, and BuDa, our barely-young-adult Boxer who died of a broken heart—a congenital heart disease that left him weak and breathless—on January 11, 2025. Sadly, sometimes evolution veers off on mortal tangents. It’s a known thing among Boxers.
Thankfully, evolution’s main mission is to find paths that allow all that is to change: for lava to become land, for green leaves to create oxygen, for animals to survive the chaos of evolving and for human beings, the ability to see when it’s time to evolve. When the familiar beloved dies, a broken heart can open to something like light that changes us. Plants reflexively turn toward the light. For human beings, darkness reveals a grand paradox: darkness becomes light and light reveals the way of being made new.
I give thanks to the Holy Mysterious Creator for the efficacy of this tiny ritual that has brought tears to my eyes, memories to my mind, life and depth to my heart and the conviction that I can become the one I have always yearned to be.
David
—
David Dunn Creative Companion/Personal Publishing
720-314-5991 dmdunn1@gmail.com Skype: dmirror
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participants (12)
-
Beret Griffith -
David Dunn -
Isobel and Jim -
Janet Sanders -
Jann McGuire -
Jim & Oliveann Slotta -
Linda and Milan Hamilton -
ML Jones -
PAUL SCHRIJNEN -
Richard Alton -
Sarah Buss -
Sunny Walker