a dog's gift

“Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?”

― Mary Oliver, Dog Songs 

I spent a beautiful late summer weekend with dear friends living on a lake in Michigan. My friend has a sweetly loyal dog who will go out on a paddleboard with her. It is a memorable moment to see.