The Dog Tree

The dog tree is a place on our property where I used to take Samson, and later Abinadi.  Now, Chief and Rose like to follow me down there.  It is a peaceful place I like to go to pray and think and enjoy nature.  

When Samson died a few years ago we were trying to decide where on our property to bury him.  The dog tree seemed like the logical spot to me.  That is where he and I spent many hours together.  So it has now become our dog cemetery.

I have always considered cemeteries to be sacred, peaceful places.  The dog tree has always been a sacred place to me – even more so now that some of my pack is buried there.

I spend a considerable amount of my outdoor time at the dog tree.  There is a bench there that Dad used to sit on when he would come visit me at the dog tree.  Now, I always picture him sitting on that bench when I am down there.  So in addition to the dog tree being my favorite place to pray and contemplate things, I also like to talk to Dad, as if he is sitting on that bench.  Like the old days.  He may very well be there listening to me.

Today, while I was down at the dog tree with Chief and Rose, I was praying, as usual.  When I looked up, I saw a beautiful full rainbow – spanning the sky from west to east.  It wasn't there before (it wasn't even raining today).  And it only lasted a few minutes.  I couldn't help but think that it was a sign from God.  

Interestingly, our Sunday School lesson this week was about Noah and the flood.  And of course the rainbow is a token of the covenant God made with Noah to never flood the earth again.  Perhaps it was my token today.

I don't believe in coincidences, so there was definitely a correlation between studying about Noah this past week and seeing that rainbow today.  God is definitely aware of each of us and our needs.

From this view, the rainbow arced high in the sky above that house over the top of my head.  Looking from Abinadi's view.  I love this party stance picture of Abinadi.  :-)  (This picture was obviously from several years ago.)

Samson's grave shortly after he was buried February 22, 2016. You can see Willie's headstone behind Abinadi.  Samson's headstone is on the other end by the tulips. Actually this picture was taken March 18, 2016.

Facing West.   Abinadi in the shade of the dog tree.  March 18, 2016

Facing east.  (Slightly southeast).  Abinadi again in the shade of the dog tree.   Dog tree far right.

Dog tree far left.  Facing South, slightly west. Samson's headstone just above Abinadi's tail.

Good view of the dog tree from the North looking South.  Abinadi's grave with the blue flowers, Samson's grave with the red flowers, and (Michael's dog) Dakota's grave with the white flowers.  October 5, 2019.

Elk bedded down at the dog tree.  Notice the gray bench on the far left of the photo.   February 2019.

A wider angle taken from the house looking east  towards the dog tree (center right of photo behind the elk.)  If you look close you can see the gray bench to the left of the dog tree. February 2019.

I thought I had a photo of the beautiful wildflowers at the dog tree, but I can't find it.  Perhaps it's only in my mind.

I feel so blessed to live in such a beautiful place where we are surrounded by wildlife and nature.

We often see elk, deer, red tail hawks, rabbits, snakes, and all kinds of birds.  We occasionally see coyotes (we hear them often), bald eagles, and Canadian geese.  We've seen a bobcat (lynx), Dad saw a huge gray wolf once, I've seen a black bear walk by my window, and I'm sure others that I can't think of right now.  I hope to see a cougar one day.

Just today I saw a flock of Canadian geese fly overhead.  A short time later, a couple of Mallard ducks flew from the neighbor's pond. Last year I saw a couple of coyotes go past the dog tree towards their den in the forest.  I always hear all kinds of birds chirping, frogs croaking, and insects buzzing.   I love it when dragonflies land on me.  And I don't even mind the spiders who crawl over me all the time.  :-)

I am truly blessed to live in such an beautiful, peaceful, serene piece of God's green earth surrounded by so many of His wonderful creations.

When I am at the dog tree I feel a oneness with my Heavenly Father because I am bathed in the peace and tranquility that being surrounded by His creations brings.  

That's my two cents.