Transformation

Often in our society we think of transformations as being zapped with lightening and voila someone is changed.  But, in reality, transformations take time.  I've spent the past two years reading everything I could find on John Wesley Powell, the two trips he made down the Green and Colorado Rivers, his topographical and geological surveys of the Southwest, and his attempts to alter the land-rush mentality in Washington, DC during the last three decades of the 19th century.  What strikes me in absorbing so much American history is how slowly things change.  Of course, there is the amazing geological story of the Grand Canyon, the slow changes over millions of years.  The transformation of mountains by water.  But there is also the story of a much more difficult change, that of American culture and sensibility.  We really haven't changed that much since 1876.  Same issues, same problems, same attempts at dealing with our silliness.  

Which brings me to Sage.  If you think about it, the life span of dogs is not long.  Which is why they don't have brakes.  They give their all, every minute, every hour, every day.  They maximize their time on Earth.  Sage came into this house full of impishness, which I happen to think is a good quality.  I like a dog with attitude.  Murphy was the same way, pushing around Riley the Wheaten Terrier until one day Riley let Murphy know just who was The Princess, and it wasn't Murph.  Murph will show you the scar on her nose, a permanent reminder of THAT lesson.  Murph has never given Sage any such warning, so Sage has been bossing Murphy around for four years.  During the first few years with Sage I gave her the nick name of Monster, Inc.

Underneath Sage's alpha is a tender heart.  She is one of the best kissing dogs I have had.  And when she wags her tail, her whole body wiggles.  She does welcome home better than any dog.  In the past few months, she has evolved to Murphy's care giver.  There are tender kisses in Murph's ears, slowing up on walks to make sure she is keeping up, a nuzzle when they wait for treats.  Sage is transforming from Top Dog Wanna' Be to Truly Great Dog.  Not to worry, she still has her many many imp moments.

And Murphy?  She doesn't seem at all surprised at Sage's tenderness.  It is as if she knew all along a wild lab would find her way.  She's been down that path herself.

Murphy's day.