01/06/2026
One of our dogs, Izzy, has taken to standing in the middle of the yard facing the woods beyond our fence and barking for 10-20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
Today, as I heard her barking away in the background while I was attempting to meditate, the thought came to me, she’s not being bad or obnoxious. She’s singing to the land, communing with the forest, talking to all the beings—birds and squirrels and those less seen—that live on this land with us.
This is her offering. Her voice. Her love. Her daily practice.
Our neighbors might not appreciate this reframe, but it is bringing me a lot of joy to think about.
And reminding me to also sing to the land, commune with the forest, and talk to all the beings on this land with me.
What could this world be like if more of us made daily offerings of connection to the land we live on with love and attention?
Note: I couldn’t get a video of Izzy making her offering because every time she saw me, she ran to me for pets and play. So instead, I’m sharing a photo of her from another of her favorite daily spots, sitting on the porch where she can look out over her land, her friend.