More about my Bodhisattva dog, Barnaby An Akita, Barnaby would reveal his Japanese antecedents in his extreme courtesy. He would bow to us in the morning like some Zen monk. And like a monk, he was much given to the peaceful contemplation of nature. Often I would find him looking for many minutes on end at a tree or rock; he had the Zen-like gift of watching the rocks grow. The Akita is one of the most ancient of all known breeds, and more than two thousand years ago these dogs were raised to be the guardians of Buddhist temples. Perhaps all those centuries spent in quiet and contemplative spaces gave this noble breed its penchant for what can only be described as dog meditation. With his unflappable, peaceful nature, Barnaby was surely the most sweet-tempered dog I have ever known—a mediator between skirmishes of mastiff and Airedale, a compassionate listener, and a friend to all who came through the door. He took everything in, absorbed it all, and transmuted it to serene heartfulness. His presence in a room would calm the energies. Barnaby also had great charm and was exceedingly handsome—people said he looked like a combination of old Hollywood movie stars Clark Gable and Cary Grant.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 05:11:49 +0000
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