Since dogs are a canvas and don’t speak, we are free to paint whatever we want on them and see and hear whatever we want to see and hear. Bud is the smallest dog I’ve ever owned (Gus didn’t make it to being a grown-up dog) and he has the most expressive eyes.

I think Bud tells his own story with his eyes. Sometimes, like this morning, he came up to me and just raised his head and looked into my eyes. It’s true what they say, if you want to capture the soul of a living thing, try doing it in black and white. It removes all of the distractions of reality and color.

In his eyes,  and in this portrait, Bud carries the story of pain and abandonment and of suffering and survival. This is what dogs can do to us and for us, their eyes can reach the deepest parts of our spirit and souls. They mirror us and reflect us and tell the stories we want and need to hear. Too often, we put our own crap into their heads, but sometimes they put their spirits into ours.

But has known a great deal of pain in his young life, I see it in his eyes. As happy as he might be, this look will never leave him.

Carol Johnson, who cared for Bud after he was rescued, (she is an angel and a friend) posted this message on my Facebook Page tonight:” Our rescue had to pay $300.00 to get him away from his abuser. He would lie on the floor and shake and of course due to the uncaring owner he was positive for heartworm. He was in a shadeless pen which is a death sentence for Brachafillic dogs”

Carol spent months caring for Bud and preparing him for the trip north from Arkansas to Vermont, where we picked him up. Thanks again, Carol.