April 29, 2010 – I can’t really describe what it means to get up in the morning, go outside to let the dogs out, and see my donkeys in their customary greet-the-day positions. The scene reminds me of what these animals have meant to me, how they helped ground me, what they taught me,and what they mean to me. I guess I had to get my affairs straight with human beings first, and resolve some issues in my own life before I could open myself up to it. The photo suggests the truth – animals are sentinels, guideposts, signals, doors that open and close. Each morning I return to my favored ritual, saying good morning to the donkeys, bringing them a carrot, or apple, or piece of bread. They come over, eat, present themselves for scratching and then we go about our business. But they touch my heart, lift my spirit, brush against my soul.

It is good to see them back.

Herding note: Rose and  I will not be at Merck Forest today (Thursday) or Friday. We will be back at Merck at 2 p.m. Sunday. Today I will be on WAMC out of Albany (Northeast Public Radio) discussing animal grieving with Joe Donahue.