(All images taken by DWB)
Solvitur ambulando: it is solved by walking.
Kierkegaard, the great Danish philosopher, Christian Existentialist before there was such a thing, and wild-hearted comedian bachelor, said: “Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts; and I do not know of any thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.”
The fact that he also, quite literally, collapsed into the gutter and died while walking at the age of 42 in 1855 has nothing to do with it. He died while he was out doing what he loved. What better way can there be to expire!?
He was writing to his sick sister-in-law who was having trouble getting out of bed because of clinical depression. He was throwing down the gauntlet in an effort to try and get her to do something to save herself.
His most famous quote comes from a private letter.
Because that’s the kind of writer he was.
All dogs in all times and all places and of all sizes and all kinds, obviously agree very heartily with these sentiments, at all levels.
Dogs literally possess the wisdom of philosophers (maybe without knowing it but don’t be so sure).
It is said (and I have seen it) that they can also accept their own bodily deaths with perfect equanimity; because they know that this too is only part of the world; and they love the world – but not too much.
End Note: Thanks to the great Michigan poet Jim Harrison from whom I first heard this quote some time in the 1990s.
And, of course, co-starring, the one and only Boo!
Dr. Dale Barrigar Williams
Saragun Springs 
DWB
First, I must confirm that Boo is a superstar.
I walk a minimum of five miles a day, every day, and that includes bad weather, Christmas and so forth. I hated PE, stunk at sports, so it is my only exercise. My phone, being too expensive, counts my steps, even though I never have asked it to. Says I put in an average of 12,000 steps daily. Hooray for me.
But this is more than that–a keep moving philosophy that I agree with. And should you drop dead doing it, you went out active, with your walking shoes on, which is commendable.
I was reminded of the Green Day song as I read this, whose title, if I guessed right, is the English version of this image-essay. I forget if that was the song Oasis sued about–I believe that they should just let the little fellers sort it out with a slap fight, like you see in pro soccer.
Astute and on the spot again!
Leila
P.S. Boo remains a superstar
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Leila
It doesn’t surprise me one bit that you walk that much. There is something about great writers and walking. Samuel Johnson used to spend much time walking around London at all hours of the day and night. Emily Dickinson was a very great walker, as was Emily B. Henry David Thoreau was always walking. And on and on. The list of great writers who were great walkers is endless. Stephen King is also a great walker.
I believe it has something to do with the origin of the Word itself. I believe the ladies and gents who first invented and developed words were the ones who tended to go off wandering by themselves more than the others. I don’t believe it, I know it.
Boo says thank you! That kid is a genius of a dog!
Dale
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Dale
Congratulations are in order to the site Eds. WP has pronounced as Globe Trackers because someone who read you today is from the 50th nation to visit Saragun Springs!
Leila
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OMG LA THAT IS WILD, AND GREAT, NEWS!
HELLO TO EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD!
WE ARE ALL ONE!
DB
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Hi Dale
Kind of a late post for me. We adopted a huge dog yesterday from the Kokomo Humane Society. He weighs 130 lbs. He looks beautiful–a King Shepherd. And that’s what I’ve been doing, walking him. He’s still a puppy and he is all over us literally with crazy loving licks and play biting. I’m trying to get him to settle down with the walks. He’s had some rough times–a bit skittish. Our dog Rookie, who is 13, is trying to adjust to the huge dog, who was called Freddie, but we renamed him Django.
So this topic is right down my alley… I can relate to how you can walk your problems away. Walking really is the best medicine.
Boo looks like he’ rollin’ he’s got great marking–beautiful doggins!
Excellent post!
Christopher
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Now that’s a Big BIG Dog! But being a thirteen-year vet, Rookie will adapt.
Leila
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Christopher
WOW! That’s some of the best news I can think of, thanks for sharing! Django sounds like quite the character. Sounds like that pup’s gonna need a lot of walks as well as other TLC! He’s in the right hands. Awesome name! It has resonance.
At 130 pounds, he’s as big as a wolf hound. Boo weighs in at a mere 75, which, if I’m doing the math right, means that Django is 55 pounds bigger than he is!
I looked at some pics of King Shepherds. That is one bad-ass dog! Rescuing such a handful from the Humane Society is nothing short of angelic. Looking forward to hearing lots of updates about him and if you get a fancy to, send pics as well!
Dale
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