Between Heaven + Earth: Miss Good

For those of you that know me, you know that I am completely head over heels in love with my rescue Golden Doodle Dixie. Dixie came to me unexpectedly several years back and brings joy to me each and every day. One of the unexpected joys that Dixie has brought me is our daily walks together. Russ and I live in Epping Forest, literally a forest. We have lived there since 1994 but it wasn't until we had dogs that required daily walking that we really started paying attention to that forest that existed around us.

In the summer months the trees provide a lush green umbrella to cover our walks and protect us from the hot sun. In the autumn, the falling leaves provide a blanket to color to the ground and one that Dixie literally blends into perfectly with her coat. In the winter months the view changes again providing a more open and stark scene allowing us to see homes, private gardens and other treasures that are hidden in other seasons. In the springtime trees explode with new life and new color - a bright lime green that drops "gifts" all around us, once again providing a new view for us to take in.

I never cease to be amazed at how walking the same 2-1/2 mile route every day can look so drastically different depending on the season and the time of day. The forest is a living breathing example of the landscape that is part of my daily life. The beauty of the changing seasons gives my mind, body and soul time to slow down, disconnect from my electronic devices and savor the moment of creation. Walking my sweet Dixie reminds me to do that.

Photo above - Dixie's favorite part of our walk is to stop at a park where we unleash her to chase squirrels, birds and yes the occasional fox. The photo above shows her mid-jump catching some "air" as she chases one of those squirrels. And for those of you wondering, no, she did not catch it. Maybe next time.