Thank you Susan, I think you write beautifully. Every time I read you I am moved and intellectually stimulated by your thoughtful, self reflective and informed approach.
And Beauvoir's question rolls on. Still in need of attention.
In my early 70s, I am finding another level of being my self / by myself. Now maybe I can be in relation without losing myself. And I am so grateful for granddaughters who remind me what being close feels like.
Very thought provoking Susan. How do women (perhaps of my age) find themselves outside of their relationships with others. I find this a perpetual conundrum with no dog to act as intermediary! Lovely writing as ever.........much to contemplate...
I discovered dog after everything, partner, youngest child to uni, business had left me in a matter of weeks.
I got him under advice from my brother, as a safety measure, as I was suddenly living in a large house alone and there was a spate of burglaries in the neighbourhood.
Instead this rescue puppy, picked blindly and quickly, completely turned me around. I had no expectations that he would save me, was completely blindsided by this independent, undemanding love.
As I also often confused myself and others
by fears of engulfment and abandonment, here was a creature that got it and I could relax … and how dog walks are pretty much the answer to everything 🙂 I was a bit late reading this , glad I did
Oh how lovely! Such beautiful dogs. For me, Branwell and Violet have followed on from dear little Milo. For me it was above all the shock of realising, through Milo, that love and freedom could co-exist. I wish I’d known this years and years before.
I absolutely love this. You have put into words my own experience and in such a beautiful and well written way, as always. Thank you for putting into words what I cannot. I will seek out the first part, which I have somehow overlooked ❤️
Might i add, not just in relation to (yet another) wonderful piece of writing, but having read the replies so far: that men also feel these things too, very much so. This isn't a criticism at all, but i think men and women might understand each other a little better if we can appreciate how we're similarly affected by the self/relationship balance.
Thank you Steve and I agree very much with this. I was thinking of this as I was finishing the post, not least because Dean Potter, my only male example, is very much an exception to Erikson’s rule. Also: I thought of all the other great stories of profound companionship with dogs - featuring men. Jack London is an obvious one but I’m very much looking forward to see the one with Brad Pitt coming soon! Thank you as ever for this thoughtful comment.
Thank you Susan, I think you write beautifully. Every time I read you I am moved and intellectually stimulated by your thoughtful, self reflective and informed approach.
excellent piece! Thank you.
And Beauvoir's question rolls on. Still in need of attention.
In my early 70s, I am finding another level of being my self / by myself. Now maybe I can be in relation without losing myself. And I am so grateful for granddaughters who remind me what being close feels like.
Wow! Or should I saw Bow Wow? Very beautiful piece, thank you. ♥️
Very thought provoking Susan. How do women (perhaps of my age) find themselves outside of their relationships with others. I find this a perpetual conundrum with no dog to act as intermediary! Lovely writing as ever.........much to contemplate...
So nourishing and so true.
I discovered dog after everything, partner, youngest child to uni, business had left me in a matter of weeks.
I got him under advice from my brother, as a safety measure, as I was suddenly living in a large house alone and there was a spate of burglaries in the neighbourhood.
Instead this rescue puppy, picked blindly and quickly, completely turned me around. I had no expectations that he would save me, was completely blindsided by this independent, undemanding love.
As I also often confused myself and others
by fears of engulfment and abandonment, here was a creature that got it and I could relax … and how dog walks are pretty much the answer to everything 🙂 I was a bit late reading this , glad I did
I'm so glad you discovered the life-sustaining gift which is the love of a dog
Bess and Ivy followed Bert, each one so exquisitely different. My daughter has Dandy and we meet every day because of the dogs
Oh how lovely! Such beautiful dogs. For me, Branwell and Violet have followed on from dear little Milo. For me it was above all the shock of realising, through Milo, that love and freedom could co-exist. I wish I’d known this years and years before.
So insightful - describes my experience of life as a woman perfectly - and incidentally my black Labrador is called Indi…
Love this. I am another who has been saved by dogs!
I absolutely love this. You have put into words my own experience and in such a beautiful and well written way, as always. Thank you for putting into words what I cannot. I will seek out the first part, which I have somehow overlooked ❤️
Might i add, not just in relation to (yet another) wonderful piece of writing, but having read the replies so far: that men also feel these things too, very much so. This isn't a criticism at all, but i think men and women might understand each other a little better if we can appreciate how we're similarly affected by the self/relationship balance.
Thank you Steve and I agree very much with this. I was thinking of this as I was finishing the post, not least because Dean Potter, my only male example, is very much an exception to Erikson’s rule. Also: I thought of all the other great stories of profound companionship with dogs - featuring men. Jack London is an obvious one but I’m very much looking forward to see the one with Brad Pitt coming soon! Thank you as ever for this thoughtful comment.