Shaun 2002 - Feb. 28, 2020

 

Shaun

After an hour of tests at the vet’s

you sat on my lap so quietly 

waiting for the verdict.

They said you were in great shape for a dog so old,

and with a bit of attitude. 

I was so proud of you,

you were so patient and good

so content to sit there.

A few weeks later you were gone

The last week I made your favourite, spaghetti 

to be sure you would have some,

then let you finish mine.

Going for a walk

two days after

I turned down a side street.

Because I could not face the curve of Northmount drive

where you liked to stop and lift you leg against every other poplar,

as we waited impatient to get home.

I wonder now, as we walk the neighbourhood whether

the other dogs will unexpectedly smell you against this tree,

that rock and find,

as I do while standing at the kitchen counter

or rolling over in bed,

some happy memory of you.

First Draft (it took a year)

Remembering

The next two photos are Wendolene and Shaun's mugshots 

from the Calgary Humane Society.

Conch

You build a house for your soul,

and wander proudly 

in starlight

with the house on your back,

like a snail.

When danger in near,

you crawl inside

and are safe

behind your hard

shell.

And when you are no more,

the house will

live on,

a testament

to your soul's beauty.

And the sea of your loneliness

will sing deep

inside.

Olav H. Hauge

While I normally avoid commenting on the news my wife and I 

have enjoyed many trips to Charleston and were quite sad

to hear of the tragic deaths.

Another Calgary Zoo Post

I studied Anthropology at University. My main interest

was Archaeology but a number of the areas interested me

including physical anthropology (focusing on bones), early man,

and Primatology. Strange the study of still living people was not

big on my list. I settled on Archaeology and worked in the field

for close to ten years it was during this time I meet my wife. I also

developed a real interest nature and isolated areas since field work 

often takes place in fairly rural areas.  Finally we both decided

to do something else and a friend suggested we consider becoming

Librarians (thanks Tim ).

But I still maintain my interest in the subject and for me the

fate of the great apes is one of the most potent symbols of man's

inability to nurture and share our world.

"When you realize the value of all life,

you dwell less on what is past and

concentrate more on the preservation

of the future."

                   Dian Fossey

"Only if we understand can we care.

Only if we care will we help.

Only if we help shall they be saved"

                                         Jane Goodall