My Dog by the Pool

Posted by Twelvebit (Victoria, United States) on 4 October 2008 in Animal & Insect.

A break from my macabre week of Fear and Loathing in America --though the way things are going, when I return to the macabre, my next images may not be so cheerful.

As it is, I've spent most of the week trying to prevent the concern that morphed into fear and depression from undergoing a further metamorphosis into unmitigated terror and despair. I was greatly assisted in this endeavor by the liberal application of the Martini.

Between my unavoidable labors and my liquid amelioration of reality, I haven't had much time for responding to comments and viewing blogs, but I hope to catch up this weekend. Thanks to those of you who have been viewing and commenting here.

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Comments (11)

sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

As I read your description it was the first time I've laughed all day:-)

This is a superb capture. With the way the light is hitting on him, he looks vicious, but I'm guessing he's a gentle giant. He's quite splendid. I miss Berlin so much.

4 Oct 2008 5:06am

@sherri: Gentle as he can be given his size, and very sweet. I think Kipling had it pegged:

The Power of the Dog
by
Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passsion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Daryl from Amagasaki, Japan

Great lighting - he looks very interested in something...

4 Oct 2008 10:18am

@Daryl: Off camera flash, hand held.

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

The light setting is excellent and very effective. But like sherri I think, he's a nice (big!) dog.
Don't like Martini, but fortunately it's Federweisser season. Tastes like pop with alcohol but keeps you alert.

4 Oct 2008 10:47am

@MadScientist: He's from Germany, like you (well, don't think he was born there, but....) --a Great Dane.

Barbara from Florida, United States

Gorgeous!! The light and tones bring out his natural colors. Beautiful clarity on the eye. I see a gentle giant and fantastic dog portrait.
Humorous caption.

4 Oct 2008 1:07pm

@Barbara: Yes he is, gentle (though sometimes not conscious of his size) and very sweet.

Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands

Very impressive dog pictuyre, wonderful application of light from below!

4 Oct 2008 2:41pm

@Illuci: Hand held flash off camera.

Zorilla from London, United Kingdom

Lovely image - sort of Edgar Alan Poe meets a not really very scary Hound of the Baskervilles

4 Oct 2008 4:11pm

@Zorilla: He might scare you if you heard him barking, but he's just about the sweetest dog I've ever known.

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

That's a big hound, and he's focussed on something of interest. It's a good one 12bit

4 Oct 2008 4:52pm

@Observing: I think he heard something just before I pressed the shutter.

gbe from kansas city, United States

what a strangely good dog photo!

4 Oct 2008 9:32pm

Lorna from Regina, Canada

That is one handsome fella you've got there. Beautiful portrait.
I saw a bumper sticker once that said "If you aren't angry, you aren't paying attention". I choose to remain oblivious and happy.

5 Oct 2008 4:23pm

@Lorna: Thank you. He's a wonderful friend. I haven't been able to remain oblivious --I wish I could be-- but perhaps it's easier up in the Great White North. My son is planning to migrate up there as soon as he graduates from college.

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

Love the light, but I can't help but think that he's a real character. My cousin had a great dane, he was a big baby (he took me for walks.)

6 Oct 2008 1:08am

@JoeB: He is a character. He's funny and he's a big baby. They're a funny breed.

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States

wonderfully stark -- quite a chilling image too -- even though you have paused from the 'dark' and macabre imagery! ;)

8 Oct 2008 11:42pm

@dj.tigersprout: And his favorite day of the year is coming up --Halloween. He loves to greet the children at the door.

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