The ball, the woods and dogs.

Yesterday after tending to the needs in the home I gathered up Gracie and we headed to the woods.  Warmer then usual these days and I knew better to go without my rubber boots.  So ready for whatever we would encounter.  She was so very excited to be out there.  She is stimulated by the smells of the wild animals.  I don't dare let her off the retractable lead.  Her head veers off the direction her nose is drawn to on the path...to where some wild four legged have gone.

There's a thing about dogs and balls I've notice with our own.  They find a ball out on the dog park etc.  They will smell it but not pick it up. Must have "Koodies" or something.  But yesterday when Gracie happened upon this green tennis ball she grabbed and claimed it as hers.  I was shocked.  We played catch for awhile till she lost interest and I let it be. 

As we were heading out of the Dog park fenced in section of the wooded forest preserve area she just decided to head off in the middle. I looked at her and she me and had that look like come on lets go this way.  Then it dawned on me she was looking for the ball.  All I had to say was, "Get the Ball, Gracie," and she ran off where the last we left it.  She found it and was such a happy camper.  As we were about to leave she even dropped it for a little white puppy pointer and she played with it too, then Gracie waited patiently and then picked it up and off we went out the gate. 

I was delightfully surprised by her behavior...we head off down the path and came to met a 4 month old black (not brown) wired haired Germen pointer puppy. I think their called Griffin's or something. Cutest thing and Gracie was so gentle and kind. Us humans chatted and exchanged dog identity stuff and how old our four legged friends are, etc.  

As we went on our way we came in contact with a young dad and his little girl.  She was but maybe almost 3 years old.  Gracie wasn't to bashful as she usually is with wee-folk, that is interesting.  I thought about how my dad taught me about nature and animals and tending the property you live on and how my mom would volunteer any time for girl scouts and how blessed I was to have the experience of nature.  I had wanted to ramble on about things about how my dad and mom introduced me and and that is was my dad's birthday and the day he died too, but that would to much information for a chance walk by in the woods.  So I just politely shared that He was doing the best thing for her, as to be bringing her to nature.  

My blessed sadness from the morning hours had turned into a wonderful day of deep remembrance I will gladly visit these feelings again.