In a sense, I have always been drawn to walks with dogs as a form of meditation, all the way back to Julius and Stanley, the two Yellow Labs who accompanied me on my run to the mountain and who walked with me several times a day as I organized my thoughts for writing. At Bedlam Farm, the dogs and I walked to the top of the hill and they sat with me while I read and thought about this next chapter of my life. I have continued this practice, this dog meditation. All of my dogs, even Frieda, have entered into the spirit of this powerful meditation. They spread out and lie down and are quiet with me, they listen with me, they do not move or run off or disturb me. After several years of work, Frieda has not joined this practice, she sat with me on the hill near the farm for a half an hour yesterday.

Given the chance and proper training, dogs are contemplatives, they love to serve us in this way, and I believe it is something they need as well me. Dogs love to serve us, it is their mission. My spiritual practice will always incorporate dogs.