Joy

Discoveries with Dougall reveal nothing today other than the white tip of his tail which has now become my joy dar. On a hot and sticky day, right in the middle of the day, when I know fewer people will be about I take D and head out. He bounds down the hill, disturbs a water dragon from its sleepy vantage, chases it, and bounces back on the path, in and out he darts at full speed, exploring every tree, sniffing, marking and standing stock still as he surveys something in the grass. Then a quick look to see I approve and off he goes skirting the bushes and getting into the long grass, a sweep right under, as if he is scratching his back, and a cocked leg, and then the white tip disappears down to the creek where he bends his snout into the water and slurps up the freshness after the rain, like a child tasting his first ice cream.

He is in and out constantly, though has not discovered swimming as yet, that joy is to come. Never really stopping to catch breath, only making sure I am in his general direction and his bountiful energy fills mine, his friendliness meets mine and his slobbery kiss a reminder that life really can be enjoyed at the very simplest. Here he is having a ball.

See that white tip - that is this weeks joy dar. Keep it firmly in sight.