When Fate sets out to explore her vast meadow, she follows the deer trails, paths that the deers and coyotes take at night that criss-cross the meadow and make it easier for them to move from one place to another. I believe that dogs are spirit animals, they come for a purpose, and leave when their work is finished.

From the path, she can navigate easily, see a good distance, watch for frogs, chipmunks, rabbits.

Red came to me at a critical moment in my life, a peaceful, trusting, spiritual creature to take me from one place to another, from bedlam to a new bedlam farm. He is a grounding force, a companion, a comforting guide kind of dog. He was what I very much-needed and need still. He is a spirit dog, he comes to mark a passage, as dogs will.

When a new dogs comes into our lives, I know it is for a purpose and I wait to see the purpose revealed. Why has Fate come? What is her meaning to me? This is so important a question when it comes to our relationship with dogs, yet we so rarely ask the question, they are so close to use we can barely see it.

When I watch Fate in the meadow, I acquire perspective. I see her revealed.

She is not the joy dog, the mischievous, playful pup. She is powerful, serious, a creature of inspiration.  She is free, not bound to me, her identity exists outside of me and Maria. Why is she here, what is her purpose? It is to mark yet another passage, a transition from one place to another. Red’s work is by no means done, he is vigorous and young and healthy.

But Fate’s work is just beginning. She comes as I am beginning to get older, when many other people are beginning to retreat (I have older friends who will not bring any more animals into their lives because the animals might outlive them, as if the animals can not ever adapt to a new home) from their lives, when they embrace what is to me an especially disheartening and noxious, “downsizing.”

She comes as Maria’s artistry deepens and grows, Fate is her companion at work, alongside for the joy of creation every day.

Everyone must choose their own path, but Fate’s paths remind of mine. Life begins anew, every single day, it opens its arms to me and challenges and inspires me to make something meaningful of it. Life challenges me, people disappoint me, even hurt me, I stumble and fall, but there is life, right before me, waiting for me to make a joyous noise unto the world.

Fate reminds me every day to lift the lens. The chorus in the heart needs to sing.