I can still see it: rain peppering an inscrutable sea. Clouds rolling through the pines on grey mountains, the light milky, if it came at all.
Eleven years ago, I moved to a very remote and troubled town in Canada’s broken wilderness and tried to make sense of the fragile truce between human fear and those wild creatures trying to live alongside us. I have more words about that, but for another time, perhaps.
Through all the travel, drama and rain, a small German shepherd was beside me: the most irrepressible, opinionated and original creature in the forest. Chiara made me laugh, often, nearly drove me out of my mind a few times too, and was a reassuring presence on dark days. After we returned to England, my mother adopted her, and that bond forged in wild forests resurfaced in the gentler landscapes of the Surrey Hills.
Chiara left us this week. I will miss her zeal, her humour and her friendship. She was, simply, unique. The memories are powerful. And now I will cherish rain, for it reminds me of her.
I sketched this when I realised that she was dying. It is how I want to remember her.
It has been raining here, too, off and on.
Time rolls on. Summer is almost here.
A Walk with Wildlife 
Chiara sounds like a wonderful dog and companion. Always so difficult to lose a much loved pet. Touching post.
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Thank you Belinda. It was quite sudden which obviously increased the shock, but it was good that she was healthy and lively for the majority of her 12 years. She is greatly missed, and always will be.
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I am so sorry to hear that. Memories of her will be with you for as long as you can remember.
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Thank you Darko. Yes, memories – extraordinary memories. She had a very rich life and there is much to think about and appreciate.
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I am sorry for your loss, Adele. That is such a beautiful and heartfelt sketch, and a loving tribute to your dear Chiara. Happy memories.
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Thank you Pete. Difficult days now adjusting to her absence, but it was such a privilege to have known her and travelled with her.
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I remember losing my own dog many years ago. I had him from when I was a boy still at school, and we had so many great times together, and he lived to a good age. I have very fond memories of those times. Understanding your grief, and wishing you all the best.
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Thank you Pete. I appreciate that.
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Adele, Cheers to Chiara. She was a member of the family or she made you a member of her pack! I really like your sketch! I find I can closely relate to it! Thank you!
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Thank you Robin. She was a unique and forceful presence and it’s impossible for me to think about Vancouver Island without remembering her.
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Adele I am so sorry for your loss. The painting is lovely the post too. A beautiful post all togheter. So very nice. Our specila friends do look out for us …….
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Thank you Eva. I am grateful to have known her. So many memories of walking in wild rainy forests with her.
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