Tag: dog

PORCH SENSES: Episode 15

I have the best seat for this show.

It is dark. It is a low fog. Streetlamps and Christmas lights are the only source of light outside. The rain and warmer air is busy melting the snow that has stayed on the ground for a few days now. You get used to it and call it winter. You also assume that you probably won’t see grass again until March. During my childhood in Niagara, a green Christmas was rare and can’t remember one specifically. As an adult, I remember more green ones than white. It could go either way this year again. One of my closest neighbours is out on his front porch too. He has brought the dogs outside for their business while he relaxes and burns a cigarette. They are loyal dogs and easily pop back inside the house when he is finished his nicotine. The falling rain and snow melting are dripping on multi surfaces from a variety of heights . They make a wide range of noises and patterns creating a symphony of water drops. It is enough to put someone to sleep. Behind me is the constant low industrial hum of a laker moving through the lock of the canal. The birds have joined the celebration of music by adding their own chatter all around. It now sounds like an orchestra warming up. I have the best seat for this show.

PORCH SENSES: Episode 13

Back on my porch… after the chaos involved in getting 2 kids up and out the door, this is peace. The animals don’t have this problem do they? We would get a lot more sleep if they were home schooled. The lack of wind has made the cold air bearable. One less noise as well. The birds are chattering in both directions. My neighbour puts his dog back on the ground and continues to walk. The dog is mostly blind but follows his sense of hearing and smell to determine his way. Another neighbour has emerged to scrape the collection of moisture frozen to her car windows. Safety first. We must be able to see in all directions while sharing a road. I do not trust some humans travelling the roadways even when all their senses are at their peaks. It is how we perceive our senses, make decisions and act upon them that divides us. As loyal as the dog is to his human friend, I don’t think it affects other dogs’ perceptions of him. Contented with smelling the other dogs and moving on, but we humans have jobs to go to. This involves kissing asses which is just another act that separates us from the animals. I didn’t say we were better, just different.

PORCH SENSES: Episode 8

Definitely quieter highway noise on a Saturday morning. You can pick out the individual trucks a bit more. It is broken up by 3 long blasts from a train in the distance. The birds that were so quiet a minute ago have now all started chattering at once. It is quite the production adding to that the sound of quick wings flapping. The birds are happy. I don’t need to ask why, just contented with the outcome. The air is so still until I wrote that sentence, now the flag moves slightly. The daily ritual of my neighbour walking his older dog Chief, usually end with the dog getting carried home. He is happy to be outside nonetheless. You don’t ask why, you are just contented with the outcome.