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Wouldn’t it be nice if, when confronted with someone who looked really different from ourselves, we acted with curiosity and kindness? That’s the kind of world I want to live in.
Buddies
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When I was about nine, we all piled into the car and drove to a nearby animal shelter, to meet a big, black German Shepherd puppy, Hausen, who had flunked out of guard dog school (he was too sweet) and was now up for adoption.
My orange tabby cat, Chocolate (long story) was none too pleased when we brought this bumbling bear of a dog home. He told Hausen who was boss (upon their first meeting in the hallway, the poor dog did a backwards somersault trying to get away from him), and one of my most vivid childhood memories is a big black streak racing across the back lawn, followed closely by a little orange streak.
Yep, Hausen out-weighed him about ten to one, but Chocolate ruled the joint.
Once the pecking order was established, though, the two became fast friends. Chocolate would curl up to sleep between Hausen’s paws or tucked into his belly. Hausen would groom Chocolate’s head with his little front teeth.
I’m still a sucker for inter-species friendships.
Let’s Party
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One of the things I love about working improvisationally and abstractly is that I discover stories in my paintings that I had no idea were there when I started out.
If I were invited to a party like this one, I’d definitely want to go!
Circus
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When I was about six, my parents took me to a three-ring circus. It was loud, There were animals. The smell of popcorn was in the air.
One of the circus workers came through the stands, looking for children to come onstage (can you call a three-ring circus a stage?) during the last act.
She was offering nifty plastic hats in exchange for our participation. She said we would get to ride the elephant! (Or maybe it was the ponies..?)
I really wanted to — the prospect of riding large animals was very enticing — but I was too shy. Instead, I watched the other kids scamper onto the floor.
There was no riding of large animals, but I still regretted that missed opportunity. It was offered up on a platter, and I refused it, simply because I was scared.
It was a good lesson at age six.
