Almost every day this week, I found the fragment of a songbird egg in my path. On the sidewalk, mostly, making you wonder where they came from, what the story was. Innocent victims in a struggle we never see. Maybe it’s true what the eco-nativists say about those starlings that live behind the billboards for lawyers and cash back credit cards.
Beautifully written requiem. Sixty-plus years of life tightly interwoven with dogs has taught me the cruel truth of the Rudyard Kipling warning: "Brother and sister I bid you beware/ Of giving your heart to a dog to tear."
Chris - best thoughts to you and the family. Losing a family member is so tough and I know how much you loved him. Take good care. You wrote a beautiful piece.
It's hard for me to write this through my tears from reading this amazing tribute. I will always have fond memories of leash walking Kimchee and Luna, my Jindo girls, and Katsu would be at the fence calling out to the girls in his distinct howl. In my mind, Katsu was singing a love song to his Korean cousins as we did our nightly neighborhood loop. I would return his howls as best I could, so he would know we were neighbors. These Asian breads are so close to the source, like no other canines I have ever known. Something about the negotiation with their strong personalities makes the earned love so much sweeter. Katsu died as he lived, in the fight, in the hunt, in the moment.
The grief and trauma is very very real, especially given the circumstances of Katsu’s passing. My last cat I had for 12 years and held him as he died poorly. Whenever I think of that moment, particularly when I’m vulnerable due to tiredness or whatever, the grief is still there and the tears well up. Stupid cat. Stupid human feelings. Ridiculous really. Look after yourself, Mr Brown ❤️
Beautifully written requiem. Sixty-plus years of life tightly interwoven with dogs has taught me the cruel truth of the Rudyard Kipling warning: "Brother and sister I bid you beware/ Of giving your heart to a dog to tear."
Chris - best thoughts to you and the family. Losing a family member is so tough and I know how much you loved him. Take good care. You wrote a beautiful piece.
It's hard for me to write this through my tears from reading this amazing tribute. I will always have fond memories of leash walking Kimchee and Luna, my Jindo girls, and Katsu would be at the fence calling out to the girls in his distinct howl. In my mind, Katsu was singing a love song to his Korean cousins as we did our nightly neighborhood loop. I would return his howls as best I could, so he would know we were neighbors. These Asian breads are so close to the source, like no other canines I have ever known. Something about the negotiation with their strong personalities makes the earned love so much sweeter. Katsu died as he lived, in the fight, in the hunt, in the moment.
The grief and trauma is very very real, especially given the circumstances of Katsu’s passing. My last cat I had for 12 years and held him as he died poorly. Whenever I think of that moment, particularly when I’m vulnerable due to tiredness or whatever, the grief is still there and the tears well up. Stupid cat. Stupid human feelings. Ridiculous really. Look after yourself, Mr Brown ❤️
So lovely. I'm grateful for your having shared this.
I am a better person for you having shared the story of Katsu. Thanks to you both. That last photo in particular will stay with me.
Dogs are God’s gift to the human race.
Am sorry, Chris.
How poignant and beautifully written. Thank.
The Roger’s quote was appropriate. WB
I’m so sorry, Chris. 💔
As usual, a beautiful piece of writing.