Today I took the two Dachsunds for a walk. It was finally sunny but somewhat crisp outside. Good day considering that three days ago we had arctic winds and snow. It feels like March should feel today. The dogs were so excited to get out of the car, I could hardly hook their leashes onto their collars. One is thirteen and the other dog is about seven. Duke is the old guy. We should have named him Eyore. He walks around looking like woe is me. There is never enough petting for him. When you aren't sitting he follows you around until you are. He has to sit on you or squeeze in next to you. There is never enough space to slide a piece of paper between us. He's a closet sneak though. By that I mean, he's the one in the garbage, the one that goes to the bathroom on the floor and the one who runs out the gate when your leaving. All the while looking sheepish and forlorn. The other dog is black. Her name is Stevie. She was named afterand that needed to be done. Stevie Nicks. She is jolly and effervescent in nature. She never snarls at people and is independent and entertains herself quite well when alone. I think she is unearned by Dukes wailing when I leave the house. She howls with him just like a younger sibling would just because it seems like he is upsetting her by carrying on so. They were so happy to be out today. The birds were chirping and the sky was baby blue. When I thought about what needed to be done today, I could not think of one thing I needed from the store or one errand that needed running. This was an end in itself. There was nothing more. I was grateful for the contentment that thought brought. Thank you God I said aloud. As I looked up, there it was. The clouds pushed together and there in the middle of it, a perfect face of a dog!Floppy long ears eyes full of expression. The fur soft and lush looking. A portrait rendered in perfect strokes. Michael Angelo could not have come close to executing such beauty. All i had to do was look up. I was blessed can me by the timing. Thank you God, I need to thank you more often. It's all you really want, for us to be grateful for all the lovely gifts and to be aware of the present moment and linger in your lavish goodness. We thank him and in return he gives us yet another gift for acknowledging him. Go figure. We really can't out give God.