The Eyes Have It by Dale Williams Barrigar

This here shaggy dog is headed to Jensens Island in the middle of Big Bearskin Lake in far northern Wisconsin.

I am not aware of whether he knows the details of all that, but he isn’t used to being on boats and one thing is certain from looking at these photos: even though he isn’t used to them, he isn’t scared, either.

That’s because he has a fearless and bold nature that makes him plunge into situations such as these almost (not quite) without thinking twice.

He’s also jumpy and paranoid in certain ways, hyper-aware of what’s going on around him and the best guard dog, when it comes to people, you could ever hope to meet.

He doesn’t care about material objects or possessions or probably even money, near as I can tell, as long as he usually has a full belly when needed and somewhere to lay his head, also when needed.

But the people in his life – he would die for them if he had to, without thinking twice.

There are many people in this world who would say, and do say, that a Dog is just a dog.

Anyone who attributes spiritual properties to their animals, like I do to mine, and like the Chippewa of northern Wisconsin used to do (and some still do) to theirs, will think that such people as that are lacking something in their nature. Not that they aren’t fully human, but yes that they are humans with cold (or at least colder than they should be) hearts.

For me, one look in his eyes tells you instantly that there is a lot more going on in there than some people give him credit for.

In some ways I even believe that he’s much smarter than your average, run-of-the-mill, boring, materialistic human – and very much so, at a level that cannot be scientifically tested or verified at all – and is even more true for all of that.

Words and pictures by Dale Williams Barrigar and, of course, Boo

9 thoughts on “The Eyes Have It by Dale Williams Barrigar”

  1. Dale and Boo
    I agree, Spirituality sums up animals. That explains their intelligence. It also explains the purity of their beings. What is that saying? Closer to the ground, or maybe the bone.
    Boo looks like he want to go in. At least he appears always at the deciding edge of the question. Such a lovely, alive fellow!
    Leila

    Like

    Reply
    • DWB's avatar DWB says:

      Thank you LA

      Many people think people like us and CJA who love animals that much are nuts, as I’m sure you’re aware!

      I also love how you commune with the wild things, like ‘coons and deer.

      Yes, Boo tried to go over the side for a swim!

      And on another day on the Island, when I took a canoe out, I turned around to see that both Boo and Bandit (at 11 years old in her case) were swimming after me!

      I had to haul both of them up into the canoe where we were in 20 to 30 feet of water.

      Colonel was more cautious and stayed back on shore…

      Dale

      Like

      Reply
    • DWB's avatar DWB says:

      …that part of Wisconsin has a large, healthy population of GRAY, or TIMBER, WOLVES…and lots of Black Bears. And muskies in the lakes, who are GIGANTIC fish w/ massive teeth…

      Like

      Reply
    • DWB's avatar DWB says:

      …My cousin’s husband’s Swedish grandmother homesteaded Jensens Island ALL BY HERSELF even in winter for 5 years.

      My cousin’s husband was raised on Jensens Island.

      Getting to school was a two-hour journey one way and involved a row boat, a long walk, and a long bus ride. Then two hours back….

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. chrisja70778e85b8abd's avatar chrisja70778e85b8abd says:

    HI DWB

    This is a great feel good story, and I don’t mean that in a trivial way. I felt really good during and after reading this. This is what writing can do!

    It was funny when you said at least you don’t think Boo knows about money.

    Boo is obviously a genius, and so much more than the cold hearts would call just a dog. Those people are only half alive, anyway. He is such a courageous beauty! Great descriptions.

    Hemingway would love the lake in the north country–he seemed to be riding along in the boat.

    Great pictures too!

    CJA

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment