I taught my short story class at Hubbard Hall again on Saturday, the class will continue well beyond it’s four allotted sessions. It is a special class – bright, open, interesting people very serious about finding their voices and writing well. They will get there. In the fall, I hope to continue teaching short story writing, and may also teach another class on the Art Of The Blog, the growing importance of blogs in individual creativity.

Red comes to every class, he helps relax the students and usually lies by my desk after he as greeted everyone who wishes to be greeted. I always think of Red as a great dog, and I wonder sometimes that the definition of a great dog is.

It differs, of course, with each dog and each individual person or family. There is no one definition of a great dog. It depends on the dog, the people, the circumstances. For me, a great dog is a dog that enters your life and helps define and shape it. A dog who can become a part of the human experience that shapes a life.

Red is with me for much of life, he is graceful, generous, calm. He helps with farm chores, sits with me as I write, goes to the gym, to the dentist, to the bookstore, rides in the car, goes on walks. He defines the passages of my life. He is trustworthy and affectionate, responsive and intuitive,  he does powerful therapy work as well as wonderful sheepherding.

I have been blessed with wonderful dogs, I think I would describe two of them as great dogs for me – Red and Rose.