09/23/2025
Reminiscing this morning.
Those moments in dogs, that touched. Where I wept, tears flowing silently, ugly cried, sobbed, tears of joy, healing tears, painful tears.
Somehow this breed elicits from me, the beauty of connection, soul to soul…
Judging a water test so long ago.
The entrant, quiet nerves. The dog, so anticipating. I stood, taking it all in. The background, the view, the sound of the water lapping against the shoreline.
Observers quietly tense, murmuring as they watched the scene unfold.
She sent her dog for the item. He lept off the ground, entirely focused on what she asked of him. As he hit the water, she softly encouraged, now and then murmuring, good boy, that’s my boy.
He swam with assurance, totally in tune with the task at hand. He circled, item in his mouth, tightly grasped. I could hear him giving that soft squeak as he swam towards his owner, the entrant.
Quietly, in the early morning fog, he squeaked, she murmured reassuringly. There was no one else, all was silent. He was totally focused, as was she.
I looked at the other judge, tears begin to stream down my cheeks. The absolute magic between dog and handler, working together quietly. She let him work steadily, no interruptions, confident in his abilities.
I let out a sob, fellow judge,teary eyed, eyes leaking.
I couldn’t stop. The beauty of their relationship, painted across the background of waves, mist, and emotion. Perhaps reminding each of us about our own past relationships with our working friends.
As he stepped out of the water, handing off the item to her, she stayed quiet, murmuring her delight. Nothing existed but these two beings. The crowd of observers erupted.
We walked up to this beautiful team, as she hugged him. Water spraying as he shook, wagging his tail. With tears flowing, we shared with her what we had observed. We had to interrupt the test, to compose ourselves, telling the crowd, that this team had touched us so, in their beauty of connection.
No noise, no excessive handling, no yelling, no loud encouragement. Just a team working together, confident in their communication.
I can only reflect on moments like this, that touched so deeply, it elicited raw emotion.
