I love the actual storm - the deep rumbling of thunder, the flashes of energy charging toward Earth - don't get me wrong, but the preceding grey dreariness can be somewhat depressing!
So, on the way home from work, Guinness mentally nudged me towards the park, as he whined while we were driving past. He was sniffing at the moist air, sensing the coming storms and itchin' for a romp in the dew covered grass.
Whether he sensed I needed it too, or was purely acting on selfishness, I know not. All I do know - he was right.We pulled into the parking lot and he started the nose-whistling as Dobermans do, excitement beginning to course through his veins. His nose went out the window, then back into the car as his beautiful head came at my face, giving me kisses and pleading with his eyes to open the darn door already!
I got out, inviting him out with a "Let's go" and off we went.
It didn't strike me until then: We had the park to ourselves.
As the storm clouds began rolling in and the sprinkling of rain drops began to fall...we walked onto the plush carpet of green, under the grey skies and rustling leaves, off into the park. Chasing his Kong toy as I threw it, we both began to get wet. Neither one of us noticed; neither one of us cared.
As we slowly circled the walk around this section of the park, we came upon two flocks of geese, bellowing out their great koh-hohs and flapping their wings in fury for disturbing their peace.
We were not alone after all.
Laughing, I watched on as Guinness suddenly bolted towards them, making them take to flight and splash-land in their safety net of combination hydrogen-oxygen.He stopped at the edge and I could see him debating on jumping in to swim after them. A quick "Don't even think it" had him turning about and trotting back over by me. I can still see his amused expression and have to smile.
WE were the intruders on this day.
Looking towards the darkening forest, keeping to the open field by the now goose-infested pond, Guinness and I suddenly just stopped and stood there. I don't know what we waited for. Or maybe Guinness did and I will never know. The peace that slowly trickled over me with the rain, however, was welcomed and refreshing.
I felt Guinness lean his right shoulder into my left leg me, staring with me towards the East, listening to the droplets fall against the leaves of the trees, hearing the crackle of branches, and finally the rumble of soft thunder in the distance. Moments passed. We just stood there. If anyone else would have been watching, we probably looked like weird statues or worse.
The time to leave was nearing as we both were shaken from our tranquility with a snap of thunder. I looked down and he looked up, the understanding clear. "Let's go, boy."
Together, we decided to start our slow walk back around to the car. The geese watched on. A few more throws of the Kong toy, one final potty break, and then he jumped back into the passenger seat as I climbed back into the driver side.
Sometimes ya just gotta stop and smell the flowers.
