Retrieved

It's no surprise that I'm a dog guy, especially Labs. I love the breed. They're intelligent, loyal, loving, happy dogs who bring life and joy wherever they go. They'll retrieve your dinner, wrestle with you on the floor, lend a warm embrace and even find lost souls. That said, I love all dogs. It never ceases to amaze me that these animals live in such harmony with us. Their lives are literally in our all too often uncaring hands. Given even the smallest kindness they'll retun a lifetime of devotion and love.

Dutch photographer Charlotte Dumas has written a book called Retrieved about the surviving search dogs from the World Trade Tower. I admit it, I'm a sap. I look at those pictures, aging heroes who neither know nor care about fame and glory or understand the impact their all too short lives have had on those who needed them so badly and involuntary tears come. Sweet gray faces that convey their inate dignity. They remind me so much of Chrisi and my beloved Trooper.

Retrieved in on my short list of books I'm going to buy. In the meantime I'll look at those pictures and meditate on how lucky the human race is that these magnificent creatures have chosen to throw their lot in with us and be happy they have done so.

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