A lot of us talk to our dogs, but sometimes I think they actually are listening. I was pouting over the loss of my storm photos when Red went to the door and barked, just like Lassie used to do in those old TV shows. Red rarely, if ever, barns. Lord knows what he was saying, but what I heard was “hey stop whining, let’s go take some pictures” and I put on my boots and grabbed my jacket and camera and headed out to the pasture, Red rushing ahead. When we opened the gate, he took off as if I had said “away to me” and came tunneling up on the other side.

I started taking some photos and I think the new ones are better and more evocative than the old ones. Animals are like that, working animals inspire us, connect with us. It is hard sometimes to know what they are saying and what we want to hear them saying, but it doesn’t matter, it is an ancient ballet, a symbiosis, people who think working animals don’t want to work have never owned one, period. I have no doubt Red was sending me a message, in  his own way, using his own language and instincts. I heard it. Good work, I said to him.