Now that the leaves have fallen and the chill settles in, at least today, Nash and Willow both have a spring in their step. Season changes bring on an element of excitement in the dogs. Nash is obsessed with digging holes as large as burrows to capture the chipmunks. I have markers around the property to warn of unsuspecting divots in the ground. What’s the use to fill them in, he just digs the hole again. Besides, I like to watch his fevered focus as he winds down into the earth. I too get sucked into his mindset and get lost in the moment. I wonder what does he smell, what must it be like to grab a hunk of earth between the jaws and gnarl it loose. Exaggerated scent of the earth lodged in nostrils, teeth and throat must be uncomfortable, exciting, and powerful. Nash snorts, hacks, spits and coughs to clear his air passages and dives back into the hole. Dig, dig, dig. . . grab, yank, gnarl, hack, spit, snort, sniff . . . dig, dig, dig. dirt flees to safety out between his legs to land loose and fluffy. Dirt once compounded and packed is now free to breath and watch the sky. My yellow dog becomes half chocolate and half yellow. I cherish these little moments, how ever destructive they may be, they are only fleeting and lend to such pleasure and happiness.
