Haibun: They Walk Beside Us

Cairngorms National Park

a brindle whippet beside a loch, looking back over her right shoulder
a memorial plaque placed on the stump of a pine tree

The sky is grey above the hills and we set off with raincoats wrapped around our waists. We walked this trail so many times the last twelve years, in all weathers. With Seamus weaving through the trees, sniffing moss and lichen and Ruby, always by my side in rhythm with my stride. With Eivor, leaping across streams and puddles to keep his paws dry, and Pearl, walking into the same streams to cool her legs and have a drink. Their smiles still linger here, their paw prints are embedded in the soil.

Here we are with Misty, who is as wide-eyed and enchanted by the glen as all the others were. For a while it feels as if we are walking with them, including those who Misty knew.

forest trail
changed forever
we greet the sun

© Xenia Tran

the ruins of Castle Eilein in the loch

We saw this beautiful memorial plaque on the stump of an ancient pine and can imagine the young man’s spirit and his loved ones finding peace here too.

Wishing you all a blessed Monday and a peaceful new week,

with love from Misty and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge: Mirror

Jez Braithwaite’s Water Water Everywhere #139

dVerse Poets: Open Link Live #322 August Edition

Author: whippetwisdom

The stories, poems and photographs on this blog are the original creative work of Xenia Tran. Inspired by life in the Scottish Highlands and in awe of nature she gives voice to the wisdom of her adopted and fostered whippets.

61 thoughts on “Haibun: They Walk Beside Us”

    1. Aww thank you so much for your kind words dear Martha and Misty says thank you for the gentle strokes and cookie too! 🐾💖🐾 The painting you have in mind sounds very special and ‘eternity’ is a beautiful title – we look forward to seeing it emerge on the canvas! Wishing you a blessed day and much love back to you, sweet Bear and Teddy from all of us here 🤗💕🐕 xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Bella 💗 It is such a beautiful plaque and the words can bring comfort to many of us. Wishing you a peaceful rest of the evening and sending love and light your way 💞💜💞 xxx

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  7. I love how you feel and sense those who walk beside us unseen. I believe they are with us no matter how silent they are now. i often say something to one of my time travelers. He does not answer in words but I know what he thinks of what I have said.

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  11. What a beautiful post about remembrance, it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing it with our challenge. 🙂
    I’ve had several attempts at commenting, so hopefully, this one will be the one that is finally successful!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Sue and for hosting this beautiful challenge 💜 I am sorry to hear you had to make several attempts before your lovely comment came through and thank you for persevering! 💗🙏 xxx

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    1. Aww thank you so much for your kind words dear Annabelle, I can imagine they would love to play chase with Lyra! Wishing you a wonderful evening and please give sweet Lyra a gentle pat from us all 🐾💛🐾 xxx

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  14. Wonderful to meet you Xenia, and how nice to have you in at dVerse! You are most ambitious, and an excellent wordsmith. It will be a pleasure to visit you from time to time. 🙂✌🏼❤️

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  16. I just adore this. I have had seven dogs in my adult life, and still think of each one of my “kids” every day. I tell the current one “Your big brother used to do that!” or such stuff. They do leave their paw prints all over our hearts.

    –Shay

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  22. You brought the trail to us with the dogs as the star characters. I like to watch the clouds. They help me see that they are never the same and change second by second.

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