“Theo was struck by his dog, even in death. For while Theo was away at school or sleeping or distracted, Shadow, well, Shadow was still out there in the neighborhood, making friends.” FriendsDogs Book:the dog Source: the dog
“Too small, too weak to get his demons behind him,” Theo later wrote in his journal, full of the hard, tragic judgment children have when their parents disappoint them so severely.” YouthWeakDisappointmentDemons Author:Steven James Taylor
“Do not hide. All life is sacred! Even the blessed earth you take into your mouth.” EarthNatureBlessedSacred Book:the dog Source: the dog
“Why, Daddy?” she asked. She still had that strange look on her face. “Why do dogs die so young? Shadow was only seventeen. He was not even as old as my babysitter.” “To teach us,” he said. “Teach us what, Daddy?” “Compassion,” he replied. “But why, Daddy?” she asked. “So that we might be kinder. So we might make the world kinder. They leave, but they leave us with their lesson. All great teachers do that.” “Yes,” said Emma. “He was a good teacher to me too. He was also a wonderful runway model.” He handed her the polaroid. She examined its rivulets and splotches. She put her thumb on the smudges, rubbing them. To Theo, it seemed she knew of the eyes and mouth that once had been. Then the full gravity of the circumstance fell upon her. Emma wept. She was now a girl with a crack in her heart. The sorrows of the world were now available to her. Soon, she would know their beauty.” CompassionTeacherDogSorrow Book:the dog Source: the dog
“Every thought you have, every move you make, is like a pebble dropped into water, Theo. It continues to make ripples. That’s why it is so important your rhythms be true to life’s Spirit. For in that way, your future will always rest in compassion. For such is life’s Spirit. It is the spirit of compassion. May this office and your cadence thrum with the kindness of your holy hands, Dr. Snow.” CompassionRipple EffectPebble Book:the dog Source: the dog
“The King of Sea and Sky was proud of Theo’s mastery. Being a novice was safe. When you are learning how to do something, you do not have to worry about whether or not you are good at it. But when you have done something, have learned how to do it again, you are not safe anymore. Being a master opens you up to judgment.” JudgmentMastery Book:the dog Source: the dog
“For some, being a vet was a means to make a living. For Theo, helping animals was a photo of his soul, the coat of his will.” DestinyVeterinarianVet Book:the dog Source: the dog
“I have been fortunate, he thought. I have known many mothers. Alice and Lora and Oota Dabun, but I will always recall my first mom when I was but a Lost Boy. Of all my mothers, I will always remember my Wendy most.” MemoryMothersRemembrance Book:the dog Source: the dog
“Shadow enjoyed the easy, sweet Sunday life of the farmhouse when the two women traded stories and song. Coffee and cream. Laughter and tears. He liked Lora. She brought him creamy treats, not the dry stuff. And when she laughed at his snoring underneath the table, she would awaken him so he would not miss any of the action. He enjoyed this ma-triarchate much more than Ted’s rough reign. Sometimes, lying at the feet of Lora and Alice, on the cool kitchen floor, Shadow dreamed. He dreamed of the ancient times when tribal mothers ruled. Men hunted, but it was the women who shaped the wolves and the babies by the ring of fire into magic dogs and magic men.” MomMothers Book:the dog Source: the dog
“Master the dog, and in so doing you shall master yourself.” LoveDogDisciplineMasterMaster Yourself Book:the dog Source: the dog
“He could not say “bad dog.” He could not say “good boy.” He could not say anything. Quiet breathed like some darkening monster at the window of Theo’s mind.” Good DogBad Dog Book:the dog Source: the dog
“Theo often walked barefoot. He loved the cold ooze of the marsh at his toes. He felt the knowingness of the wild grass against his foot pads. Beneath his growing body, toiling the deep soil, the earthworms wriggled, ruled by the thrum-ming of consciousness reserved especially for their species. The rhythms shot straight to his own body. When he walked barefoot with Shadow, he felt the connection between him, his dog, and the heaven beneath his feet. He felt the connection not only with his dog but with all dogs.” ConnectionBarefootKnowingness Book:the dog Source: the dog
“They drove through the small town. Theo could see little through the windshield, but his senses were alive. The three of them—the beater, the boy, and the dog—said nothing all the way home, anchored in the weight of their terrible love.” AbuseTerrible Love Book:the dog Source: the dog
“They kissed and hugged and played roughhouse. Whenever love was mentioned, roughhouse was generally forthcoming, at least as far as Shadow could tell.” DogRoughhouse Book:the dog Source: the dog
“Alice told Shadow a magical tale of the green wreath and the red ribbon. In the story, Father Sky, who reigned over the spirit, came to Mother Earth, who bore the form of a woman of clay named Mary. Sky and Earth married, and together they conceived a beautiful star child made of both spirit and earth. The Star Child grew up and walked the world. The child of Father Sky and Mother Earth taught the world to live with the spirit in their clay hearts. Alice said the red of the holiday bow signified the Star Child’s sacrifice, and the green balsam of the wreath signified the everlasting life that was for all people born to the spirit of Father Sky. Shadow loved the story. It reminded him of his own sweet mother and the tales of Thunderbird who flew the skies in bird form in service to Gitche Manitou. Thunderbird was Shadow’s guardian, just like Shadow was the guardian for Theo. Shadow adored the season of light. He always felt warm and cozy when it came around.” Mother EarthFather SkyStar Child Author:Steven James Taylor
“There was nothing of which to be afraid. The only thing to fear was the evil men did because they believed the dark cloak of night, like Ted did, covered their offenses.” EvilDarknessDeception Book:the dog Source: the dog