A Rescue Dog Dreams

1 Comment
The legs of a sleeping dog, lying on its side, are visible stretched out on the living room floor. Photo from Pixabay.

A Rescue Dog Dreams

Ella Rose, boarded outdoors two years in Copemish, brought home from Manistee’s Homeward Bound Shelter.

Do you know that moment

Ad for Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts says celebrating 250 years of the United States of America, Scan the QR code toward the bottom right corner for the summer line up or click on this ad to be taken to the website. This ad is in red, white and blue with a solid navy ribbon of color at the top followed by a red white and blue ribbon across the ad with white stars in blue, a white stripe in the middle and a red stripe at the bottom of the ribbon. The address is at the bottom of the ad: 101 Maple Street in Manistee, Michigan. Zip code is 49660. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. the website address is ramsdelltheatre.org. Theater is spelled t-h-e-a-t-r-e.
Advertisment for the Summer Sounds concert series offered by the Michigan Legacy Art Park on the grounds of Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville. July 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. is Full Tilt Comedy presents Musical Improv. July 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. is Rebekah Jon with psychedelic pop rock. Concerts take place at the outdoor amphitheater located at 7300 Mountainside Road. Advance tickets are $15 per adult, $20 at the door. Click on this ad to be taken to the website.
Advertisement for Oliver Art Center in Frankfort, Michigan. Coastal Caravan Art Fair, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Unique Michigan Artists' booths. Bloody Mary Bar. Live music by The Nephews at 11 a.m. and Chris Skellenger at 1 p.m. Red Top Hot Dogs Food Truck. Kids art tent. Ceramics demos. Open house at the end of second street in frankfort. Music, art and fun on the shores of Betsie Bay. 132 Coast Guard Road in Frankfort. Click on this ad to be taken to the website.

just before sleep, eyes barely open,

in a twilight consciousness,

journeying toward rest,

perhaps to dream?

As we watch our dog,

Ella Rose,

so tired after a hard run

in the woods, she can barely

stay awake. Her eyes almost close.

We whisper to each other.

Even with our hushed voices,

she raises her head to stay

alert, a rescue dog’s vigilance.

We say, Shhhhhh. Let her rest!”

Such a precious experience,

to witness her last effort

before she feels safe to let go.

Soon deeply asleep, she dreams,

her nose twitches, full body quivers,

paws curve and tremble.

Can our affectionate Ella Rose,

who loves to snuggle,

be chasing a terrified rabbit

to snap its neck?

Or may we imagine

she’s dreaming the promise

of a treat after her Kibbles dinner,

a domesticated “Greenie” bone

she’ll toss in the air, tease,

then tear to shreds and devour

on our cozy flowered living room rug,

here in her homey refuge, yet fierce

as if she’s in the wild wild woods

where some rabbit, safe in its burrow

just now, is dreaming a reprieve

from fleeing for its life.

                                               —Louisa Loveridge Gallas         

Related Posts

1 Comment

  1. J. T. Reply

    I could so imagine Ella Rose’s movements as I remember my own rescued black lab mix after a wonderful run along Lake Michigan’s shore at 1st St. Beach, Manistee. Chase would get antsy waiting for me to grab his lease as he knew it was time to go. At 13 1/2, we had to put him down last month and still can’t shake the feeling he is still in his spot waiting for me to take him for a run. Dogs are so perceptive, loving and mightily missed when gone. Hope you have many more years with Ella Rose.

Write A Comment