Melencolia I by Albrecht Dürer

 

Albrecht_Dürer_melencolia_I

 

Melencolia I by Albrecht Dürer, 1514

I went to our local shelter today.  It is a no-kill rescue.  The dogs are walked twice a day.  The cats are petted and cared for.  I gave one little guy a bath because he had soiled his crate.  I threw away a clump of his hair with feces on it in a garbage can that held dog food.  They had to throw away all the dog food.  A convict washed out the can with Clorox.  

I took the little dog for a walk outside.  His backend is wonky, but he got going.  I kept him away from a Pit Bull, but I was frightened.  I brought him back inside, put him back in his crate, and started to fill out an application.  I didn’t finish it. 

I left, and Romeo and Juliet smothered me with kisses on the way to the path.  I knew I was allergic to them.  But I let them.  They need to be adopted together because she cannot survive without him.  Her heart is too big and she has a murmur.  I came home and took a Benadryl and a shower.  Everyone says, “You’ll know when it’s your dog.”  I believe that.  But I am having trouble with knowing they are not my dogs.  I have been sheltered.

Via The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Comments

8 responses to “Melencolia I by Albrecht Dürer”

  1. Elizabeth Avatar

    I’m sorry. Hang in there.

  2. superheidi Avatar

    oh dear, you’re brave. I can’t, still, after 1.5 years. My dear old fellow is still very present. Another dog brings back too much of the past that can no longer be. Just not ready yet. I know time will tell me what to do.

  3. Moira McLaughlin Avatar

    Heidi – I am struggling with it being too soon. But I am also struggling with living without a dog. How do you do it?

  4. Evelyn Morris Hecht Avatar

    Moira- I have gone through many similar moments…..it slowly gets less painful but never goes away. In a few weeks, it’ll be 5 years since my Ollie and I still cannot do it………maybe I never will. Perhaps if you do some volunteering at shelter without looking for special dog, it will be therapeutic for your grieving……yes, the right dog at the right moment will come to you! Stay brave and keep writing and making art if you can!
    xo Evelyn

  5. Robb Avatar
    Robb

    A trip to the shelter is a great way to get a dog fix!
    Seeing one go home is such a happy scene..I always go on a week-end to be sure to catch one!
    What a wonderful post..I love what you’re doing.
    ( Romeo and Juliet are just too adorable..please keep us updated on them!)

  6. superheidi Avatar

    How do I live without a dog? Hm, after taking care intensively of an elderly dog I’m rediscovering a sense of freedom of responsability. But it’s by no means the reason for living without a dog. I strongly feel that I am a dog person.
    I think it has to do with the fact that life took over in a grim way. I had to deal with more deaths and a change of jobs. There are still some dark clouds at the horizon so my life isn’t what it used to be when I still had my dog with me. I mourned and I still do, but other events keep screaming for attention. So I feel like I can’t take this next step, yet. Does that make any sense?
    That’s why I think you’re brave, you confront yourself with that next step. I decide to postpone it for now.

  7. Moira McLaughlin Avatar

    Heidi – I am struggling with similar issues. Desperate to fill my life with a dog, but knowing I need to get things in order before it is really responsible to say yes to the commitment. I think that is what made me really depressed. The fact that I couldn’t just go to the shelter and fill the void — the realization that it’s going to take some time. I am sorry to hear about your losses. Sending support and gratitude for you sharing your story.

  8. VY Avatar

    This is one of the best paintings of Albrecht Durer. The dog in the painting is also called as Durer’s dog. Did any one of you know that there are secrets hidden in this painting. Those secrets can reveal many ancient mysteries. I recently read an article related to that http://www.albrechtdurerblog.com/whats-the-real-magic-in-the-magic-square/

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