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Poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

To Flush, My Dog by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Yet, my pretty sportive friend,
Little is't to such an end
That I praise thy rareness!
Other dogs may be thy peers
Haply in these drooping ears,
And this glossy fairness.

But of thee it shall be said,
This dog watched beside a bed
Day and night unweary—
Watched within a curtained room,
Where no sunbeam brake the gloom
Round the sick and dreary.

Roses, gathered for a vase,
In that chamber died apace,
Beam and breeze resigning.
This dog only, waited on,
Knowing that when light is gone
Love remains for shining.

Other dogs in thymy dew
Tracked the hares, and followed through
Sunny moor or meadow.
This dog only, crept and crept
Next a languid cheek that slept,
Sharing in the shadow.

Other dogs of loyal cheer
Bounded at the whistle clear,
Up the woodside hieing.
This dog only, watched in reach
Of a faintly uttered speech,
Or a louder sighing.

And if one or two quick tears
Dropped upon his glossy ears,
Or a sigh came double—
Up he sprang in eager haste,
Fawning, fondling, breathing fast,
In a tender trouble.

And this dog was satisfied
If a pale thin hand would glide
Down his dewlaps sloping—
Which he pushed his nose within,
After—platforming his chin
On the palm left open.

Good Day to you

For my dearest Tara..

Playing....

Reading.....

I hope your day was perfect too....

Illustration-Collage©2010Babetteandfriends

Reading Emily Dickinson

I started Early- by Emily Dickinson

I started Early -- Took my Dog --
And visited the Sea --
The Mermaids in the Basement
Came out to look at me --

And Frigates -- in the Upper Floor
Extended Hempen Hands --
Presuming Me to be a Mouse --
Aground -- upon the Sands --

But no Man moved Me -- till the Tide
Went past my simple Shoe --
And past my Apron -- and my Belt --
And past my Bodice -- too --

And made as He would eat me up --
As wholly as a Dew
Upon a Dandelion's Sleeve --
And then -- I started -- too --

And He -- He followed -- close behind --
I felt his Silver Heel
Upon my Ankle -- Then my Shoes
Would overflow with Pearl --

Until We met the Solid Town --
No One He seemed to know --
And bowing -- with a Mighty look --
At me -- The Sea withdrew --

Defenders

I read on Defenders of Wildlife's site that wolves live and travel and hunt in packs of 4-7 animals on average. Nothing surprising there, as we all know wolves are pack animals. But, when I read that they demonstrate deep affection for their family and even sacrifice themselves to protect their family, I got teary eyed.</

Missing music

Illustration-Collage©2010Babetteandfriends

Today "Babette and Friends" is having a musical day at the farm!

Going through my sheet music and trying to find an easy piece to work on I came across an old time favorite : Faure's "Apres Un Reve". In French it means after a dream. The vocal line is quite appropriately a sound that I can best describe as dreamy. A woman's languishing voice between a place of hope and despair. . Accompanying piano is a light, underlying pulse, it carries the song in propulsion., ta ta taa ta.. I simply live this song. I downloaded from Itunes and set at work with my sheet music to refresh my memory.

"In a sleep which your image charmed, I dreamt of happiness, ardent mirage.... You called me, and I left the earth, to flee with you towards the light.... Return, return, radiant" -my translation.

I have neglected my music terribly. I must say though that I believe my animals were quite relieved about that!

Since I am hard of hearing {actually deaf in one ear} I do not hear what I sound like. Poor creatures, what must they endure? But, for years to Babette's dismay I was adamant on keeping to my disciplined practicing. I was getting bolder and bolder, because I was encouraged by my teacher, Peiwen, who kept on insisting: " a musician should notttttt listen to herself, but a musician must feeeeeeeeel her music "

Today, I did work on that most peculiarly expressive Faure song. What a disaster it was. I cleaned the house of all mice...

I thought my hearing aid was going to explode. My doggie girl escaped the moment I hit the high C. She ran out of the room in such a haste that suddenly felt the wind of her tail brushing my leg, but I did not even see her.

Babette loves Debussy's music. Of course, not when I attempt to sing or play it!

I noticed that the moment all my doggies, Babette ,Cooper and Willy hear "Syrinx for unaccompanied flute" they are bewitched. I believe string or wind instruments calm animals.

Equines,Canines,Felines,Primates do definetly have have neurological processes similar to us,Drug trials show that even mice respond to medication that alleviate emotional instability , such as depression in humans. I have read that to test an antidepressant's effectiveness, first mice are made depressed, I don't remember how doctor's accomplish that (but, I am sure through some cruel human "ingenuity")

Well, do you ever wonder, if a mouse can feel depressed, then is it possible for that mice to feel happiness?

Human beings, we feel fear, pain, pleasure, etc and learn from these, hopefully how best to behave to suit us to survive. This biological mechanism is part of our Evolution. This biological mechanism of "learning from behavior to survive "encompasses all species; therefore, my dog learns from her emotions to behave best to survive as well...

Homo sapiens are trying hard to define our own "consciousness" We are not equipped to explain ours yet scientifically nor spiritually, let along another specie's "consciousness". But, one thing is observable, and therefore is true.

My dog feels fear, therefore I assume my dog feels also pleasure. She experiences happiness.

That is my motto.

Well, ta ta for now...

Pride and Prediction for Melis

Good luck at RADA!

World is your oyster.

Love from your first fan.