On the back side of our Eastern mountain range lies the great Mojave desert. In the mornings, the sun first rises over the desert's wide horizon, then it climbs slowly over the mountains. Once it reaches over the ridge, Samson, who is outside waiting since about six, begins to bark. Because of his illness, he is sun sensitive, for one, but he also knows it's time for me to get moving.
I fetch him and we go for our morning hike. Sometimes we walk on the road, up around the barn, where I have created a track for us. Round and round we go, scaring up an occasional rabbit and many birds who make their homes there. Sometimes we hike in the hills on our land; since I fell I don't go far alone with Samson, but since it's uphill, we get our exercise.
I keep him on a leash, mainly because of his various health issues. He's not allowed to eat anything unusual, as dogs are wont to do.
I think on things as we walk and sometimes I meditate, quieting my mind. I listen to birds and watch ravens sailing on the wind.
Mornings here in the canyon are good for my soul.
Samson Says: And good for digging in the dirt and exercising my nose.
