We will never know what Walter experienced in his first year of life that sent him off on his journey, but we can certainly assume, he knew there was something better.
People talk about how the world gives you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it, well it apparently holds true for dogs as well. When Walter, mangy and malnourished, arrived in Spokane, the world knew exactly what he needed and placed him in my sister’s yard. Let me just tell you, if ever you’re lost, and in need of some help, this is the home you want to find yourself at. She took him in, and despite his physical appearance, knew just what a beautiful creature he was. Almost instantly, she sent me the message that I needed to make a 6 hour drive to Spokane, to receive this incredible dog. I resisted, as certainly there were dogs in need of homes in Portland, and if I really wanted one, I could save the trip. She persisted, and next thing I know, I’m driving to Spokane.
He certainly was as advertised. Long mangy hair, and dire need of a few hamburgers, but he did have soul…..Did he ever have a soul. We met, and we bonded. Looking back, I really feel like we were both lost souls, somehow aware that there was more to this thing called life. There was something better, but we just needed a little help getting there. Our purpose may have been to provide each other a friend along the way.
The thing is Walter and I….I don’t think we ever were meant to spend our lives together. It was more as though he was there because he knew I needed him, but he too was seeking something more. One thing’s for sure, I had no idea just what an impact he would have on my life.
Once we were together, we were together 24 hours a day. Back in my freight forwarding days, he would come to the office and offer up a much needed distraction in an often stressful environment. He just had an amazing calming effect wherever he was. He was loved.
Of course, our greatest work would come at Torrefazione…Wow, could he work it. It’s one thing to toss a puppy out as a lure, and snag whatever comes along, but with Walter, he took things to a whole other level. He would just connect with the most amazing people, and bring them to my table. It was as though he didn’t have time for the fluff, he was all about substance. The people I met with this dog have been with me to this day…He could certainly sniff them out.
Speaking of life changing, this just came to me. Walter and I would hang out at various dog parks in NE Portland, and one of those parks was shared by Pete. Pete was a peculiar Australian Shepherd, who grew fond of Walter and Walter of him. Attached to Pete was one Jennifer Priestler, who at the time, was in the process of opening Yoga Pearl at the same time I was exploring the idea of photography. Eventually, after many connections in the park, I talked her into letting me take some photos. From that moment, when you start to track it through, I started working with Yoga Pearl, which opened the door to about 90% percent of the people in my life today and pretty much shaped everything I’m currently doing. Thank you Walter. Never take for granted how important that furry little creature may be in your life.
Over the next couple years, I began to shift my life to discovering my passion and living it. Walter was right there with me, and who knows, maybe learning a little from the process. We eventually let the office, sold the house, and took on a photography studio. Our time together began to change…While we still made our trips to the coffee shop and dog park, he could certainly sense that my attention was becoming more consumed with this whole photography thing. About this time, a new tenant moved into the building. She was a painter, and along with her came another dog named Bob. It didn’t long until Walter would hear them enter the building and mosey on down to spend the day with the two of them.
I don’t really recall how long this went on for, but I do remember the feeling that it was becoming more and more difficult for Walter to say goodbye to them at the end of the day. After a while, it became too much to overlook, and that is when it happened. I told Brenda to take Walter for the weekend, just to see how he reacted. On Monday, when they returned to my studio and walked in, he positioned himself behind her to let me know he had made a decision. Well, the thing is, dogs can’t talk….If they could, I’m pretty certain that we would have had a fantastic conversation, where he told me of this new adventure he wanted to take and I could have told him how excited I was for him. Instead, I saw him standing there, I knew what he wanted, gave him a hug and let him go.
Over the next six years, while I don’t know all the details, I’m certain that Walter had the best life a dog could ever hope for. There was the house across the street from Laurelhurst Park, which is as good as it gets for a dog who loved run and was a herder at heart. He had the cross country adventure to live on a ranch in Missouri(it was Missouri, right?), chasing deer and whatever else may present a challenge. A dream for a dog like Walter.
One thing with Walter, he loved the chase, but there was not a violent bone in his body. The first time I discovered this, was at the park. He was always chasing squirrels, and one day in hot pursuit, the squirrel he was chasing fell from the tree and landed at his feet. Walter looked down at the terrified rodent, and just sat there waiting until the squirrel regained its bearings, and went on with the chase. The other time, on a trip through Bend, we were taking a bathroom break when a bunch of rabbits took off from the brush. Walter immediately took off in chase. After a few hundred yards, one of the rabbits decided to give up, and just stopped. Well, startled, Walter arrived at the rabbit, they sniffed noses, and Walter simply turned around and walked away.
The one thing about Walters life after our time together, I always felt such joy when I heard stories of his next adventure. I liken it to what it must feel like when you raise a kid, and then just get bits and pieces of their life once they head out on their own. Always a bit of pride in hearing about his life. The one thing I know, is Walter had a brilliant life….He started out in a difficult situation, changed his surroundings and lived life to the fullest. He taught me a lot, and I love him.
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