October 27, 2008 – Rainy, cold. I have to say today was something of a gloomy day. Too many things to do, one of those days when the true nature of life reveals itself, when people struggle, and hurt or disappoint. I don’t have many days like that, and few on the farm. Getting ready for Texas, and two book festivals – San Antonio and Austin.
  Life is hard, and it is perhaps the hard parts that change and define us, test us, force us to see who we are, where we came from, where we want to go. Animals are metaphors for this, ultimately, mirrors, I think, and they reflect our own lives. I will always think of Lenore as an adorable puppy who came to the farm when I needed her, and lit up the place with love and enthusiasm. Now, I look up on the path and I see a grown-up dog, still puppy-ish, still playful, still joyous and full of love but with more calm, more bearing, more wisdom, if that is the right word.
 We have grown up together, in several ways, and she is as close to me or Izzy and Rose, although she is quite different from other of them. My dogs have become a pack in a way, reacting to one another, aware of each other. Izzy seems to be the leader, except when there is work to do, when he defers to Rose. Lenore is everybody’s pal and playmate. She has acquired some dignity with her good looks, and I am eager to bring her more intensely into hospice work this winter, as I am eager to return to it myself. Work on the edge of life brings great perspective to me, and reminds me always of what it is so easy to forget – what is really important.