Still Life (original) (raw)
footpad wistful and loving
March 29 2010, 09:03
Dear Mischa,
You know that I love you, and so I should, because you're lovely.
You're not perfect, of course. You're not the smartest dog in the world, and your stubbornly independent streak has frankly defeated most of my efforts at training. You can hold a vicious grudge against a dog who's earned it, sometimes you make very peculiar loud noises at inopportune moments, and oh boy can you fart. But against these minor flaws you set a gentle heart, a placid disposition, an affectionate demeanour, a beautiful form, a delicious scent, and an easygoing charisma that delights all around you. You're not everything I'd want in a dog, but you're a lot more than I could have wished for. No wonder I love you.
Impelled by my affection for you, I arranged with the ever-delightful and wonderfully talented vantid to paint a picture of you, in which she excelled herself and delighted akeela and me. Look, here you are (click for big):
And I thought: that's you. That's absolutely you.
But then I got home to you on Friday night, and you heard my voice as I came in and you came trotting into the room to find me—a big sleek dog with a grin on your snout and a wave in your handsome tail. And I got down on my knees to hug you, and your body was so solid and warm and muscular against me, and I buried my face in your sweet-smelling fur, and I thought:
However beautiful, a picture is just one facet of what you are. Like your scent, your warmth, your smile. I know you as many facets combined in a wonderful and indivisible whole. But, as with a Bach fugue or one of the more twisted Picassos, I can never hold all the whole in mind. You may be 'our' dog but in the end, you elusively remain your own creature, and I'm glad to know I'll never totally understand who you are. Because it's nice finding out.
Anyway. Isn't it a beautiful portrait?
Love,
me.