The World According to Musko

Musko had a home, and his home was the Reserve. He chose, however, to go with Julie. He was a watcher and a mentor, a being who appreciated the present and all it had to offer.

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 “All the same,” Laila sighs. “All the same.” She brightens. “That Musko’s no fool. He’ll see it right.”

That is why dogs come to us.

• A Canoer of Shorelines, Ch. 8

 
Julie’s head snaps up. The dreams come to her waking now. Soon she will be living in them, everywhere.
 
She walks to the kitchen on rubbery legs, the floor rising and pitching beneath her feet. Musko whuffs at the door. Let’s walk, please. Let’s walk to the brook and wallow in the shady pool above the bridge. There are frogs to hunt and rich smells. Please, let’s go. Then we will stretch out in front of the fridge, and simply be. We will dream of frogs and rabbits and good things.

• A Canoer of Shorelines, Ch. 32

 
 
Musko is the great black dog that chooses Julie. She does not adopt him, and he is not a rescue dog. He had a good life, roaming free on the Reserve, a good and friendly dog, liked by all.

I have had people ask me, when I go north on a contract, to bring them back a dog. They even describe the type they want, like the community was perhaps a pet shop and I would browse the aisles, seeking their dog.  Some dogs are looking for a home, but some are happy just the way they are. It is important to learn the difference.

Musko had a home, and his home was the Reserve. He chose, however, to go with Julie. He was a watcher and a mentor, a being who appreciated the present and all it had to offer.

I believe Julie needed him to find her way through her dream life, and his presence was a gift.

As the world darkens around us, as we strive to suck each moment dry of all opportunity, we need the guidance of dogs. The other day as the heat pulsed around me, as CoVid numbers rose and fires scorched the earth, I came upon my husky, napping in front of the fan, four paws splayed to the breeze, eyes closed, husky smile playing about her mouth. “Today we have a fan,” she explained. “Let’s enjoy it, shall we?”

How did this special bond with humans come to be? I believe that Musko might tell it like this:
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The Creator looked over all that he had made, and his heart broke.
For there was strife and violence over the earth, and the hearts of humans had turned to darkness. Rage, selfishness, and despair were everywhere. Many were seduced by the power of evil, and many brought low.
And then he saw his crowning achievement, the joy of his creation, Dog. And the Creator wept, for Dog was in chains, his eyes dulled, his spirit broken. How could this be? How could all the beauty and balance of the First Time come down and down to this?
So he gathered Dog and all his companions, and reached deep into their hearts. Some were too broken, and these he kept with him, to be healed in the fresh forests of another world, to be renewed that they might one day return.
To the others, he gave a blessing and said,
“I give you the strength to endure. I send you to seek out the broken among the humans, and lead them to find their hearts. You will listen, and you will lead. I send you, Dog, and your followers, to teach my people to be better human beings. You have patience, forgiveness, hope, and presence – the gifts of creation that they have forgotten.
“Your task will be hard, sometimes dangerous. But only you can accomplish this.
“Comfort, O comfort my people.”
That is why dogs come to you.

Perhaps I am fanciful, but then again, it feels good to relax in front of the fan, cool air pulsing against the soles of my feet.  I relax and draw down deep into my being.

And there I know, that if I can live with patience, forgiveness, hope, and presence, I can change a tiny bit of the world.

And that is a start.

Thank you, Musko.