Day: November 9, 2009

 Two years ago, a wildlife photographer told me the secret of animal photography was to go for the eyes. It’s easy to say that, but tough to get animals to look at you or be comfortable being photographed. Rose doesn’t like it, looking anywhere but at the camera. Still I have learned to be patient, and anticipate here. She is so curious, she will look at sounds and movement behind me, although rarely directly at the camera. I love Rose’s eyes. Her intelligence, seriousness of purpose, and extraordinary instincts are all there.

Lenore and Frieda. A friendship

 I spent much of the weekend working on one of my children’s books, “Can Lenore Find A Job?” and it was surprising, as I wrote about the dogs, to consider the role Lenore has played in my work and life with dogs. She helped Frieda settle in, taught Izzy how to calm down, is teaching Rose how to play. She altered the tone of the farm, loosened up all the animals and people. Love really is her work. She has had quite an impact on me, and on the place. Lenore kept love alive for me, and I saw her take Frieda on as a task, helping make her comfortable here. I believe Lenore actively set out to teach Frieda how to relax. The two are great pals now, and  I am only beginning to appreciate the impact the Hound of Love has had on my life.
  A therapist told me last year that when I talked about Lenore, she could see how much love there was in me, and how much it wanted to come out. Boy, did I blush. But I think it was true.

 November 9, 2009 – Going to the dentist. Training Frieda (I want to write this week about the importance of calming training.)  I survived the potholder controversy last week, in which I dared suggest that the pink and green in one of Maria’s potholders was bilious, and of course it sold in a second. So in fairness, I have to say that the potholder above – Maria claims there’s a slight stain, so she can’t sell it, but I can’t see any stain – is my favorite. I love the colors, mix and style of this one. Maybe she will give it to me for Christmas.  Maybe I can redeem myself. One quilter wrote in that the pink and green potholder was perhaps the most famous potholder in the world now. I suppose that could possibly be true, given that there is little discussion of potholders in the world.