Even though a soft grayness covered the sky, and the wind had perched itself mightily on the back of shivering cold rain, yesterday, the Dude and Oz went to the beach. As if drawn there by some mystic force, the purpose for the madness soon became clear. A lone Seagull, placidly laying at water’s edge, shivered as he lay waiting.

The Dude ran toward the lame Seagull, who was already being investigated by Ozzy’s cold nose. Then, as if he understood, Oz stood-down giving the matter over to his master, and leaving the inevitable to more capable hands. The Dude crouched and began talking to the gull in soothing tones. This was one creature who would not have to step into the darkness alone. The gull slowly shifted his gaze into the eyes of his new friend,

“Don’t let them spread silly rumors about me, or make me a god. O.K., …….?

I’m a seagull. I like to fly…” *

The connection between the Dude and animals is eerie. In the clumsy humor I‘ve acquired along the years, I make it clear and I’m certain, that in a past life, the spousal unit aka the Dude, was one of them. Ergo the strong link.

It really doesn’t matter what the animal is, be it this dying Seagull or a Tiger that walks nearer the glass just to communicate with the Dude in silence, they all sense their own kind, and concede the bond.

*Jonathan Livingston Seagull
by Richard Bach
~