How to walk in the woods

I was in between. Fiercely independent, had money saved up, and some time before I went West.

My roommate called. Someone found a runaway dog. Dominoe.

Malnourished. Skittish. Afraid of a raised hand.

... she always following a few yards away, my buddy.

One day we drove farther and walked in the autumn leaves.

we chatted about 15 minutes, and I turned around ...

She was GONE! I was hours running up and down the trail, crying her name. I was worthless. I could take care of myself, but no one else. Worthless.

DARKNESS. I would camp out, return the next day. I would do that every day until I found her. Every day. I cried back to the car ...

... and there she was! Waiting for me. My awareness became a circle of responsibility of more than just myself.

We drove across the country.

My co-pilot;

had adventures,

saw strange lands,

looked around,

made a home.

She departed permanently, but I never forgot what I learned that day in the woods.

Dominoe.