The changing seasons are such a defining component to life. They take us back to our agrarian past. A time to plant…. They give a rhythm to our life and they frame our memories. Autumn in particular is a season filled with memories. The smell of a roaring fire, the changing colors, the chilly nights and the sound of leaves swirling across the porch remind us of who we are and who we once were.

And so goes life. Change is one thing you can count on. Sometimes for the good and sometimes not. Bucky’s best friend Ollie is dealing with some serious health issues. The vet has given him some steroids and they are working for now. The one negative to the steroids is they have ramped up his bodacious appetite. If you have food in your hand he will leap at you with the expression of an exotic fish.

While the steroids are buying him time they are only delaying the inevitable. Strangely enough Buck seems to sense it. He is unusually deferential to him. I wish Ollie could stay for a long time but alas there is a time to be born and a time to die.

The wider world continues to be an angry ,unhappy place. Emotionally it feels like we are in an endless winter with no sign of spring on the horizon. This winter of discontent is so frustrating because it is largely self inflicted. All the political noise seems particularly banal when you look at what Ollie is facing. Thankfully we can turn off the news and focus on what really matters. Good health, a dog to grow old with and a beautiful fall day. We can also hope the next change brings a better world. We may weep today but perhaps tomorrow we will be laughing and maybe just maybe even dancing.