It was five years ago, nearly to the date, that I found myself climbing a hill outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, following my Golden Retriever, Mila. Enjoying the golden grasses and beautiful rock formations, not to mention the infamous big sky, the area has to offer. We had just been for pizza in the downtown of town and slowly wandered south after having spent the day as about the last visitors of the year travelling the Continental Divide through Yellowstone Park and then Grand Teton National Park.
Mila likes to get out and run. She enjoyed the snow, in the parks, and graciously posed for a photo that was later used as “Sightseer” in the calendar 12 Uses for a Golden, Willow Creek Press. Mila is quite the adventurer and travels well in car and outside. She is happy to go where I go. She likes the sunshine, she likes the shade, which makes her a lovely companion for me. She loves water and knows when we’re near water, even when we’re not in sight of it. It’s like magic.
She likes water of any kind. Snow and salt water, included. There was not water on this hill, but Mila is happy wherever she is. That is a good way to be. Her happiness comes from inside. While our circumstances certainly affect us, and should, it is desirable to not be dependent upon them. I hope you are in a comfortable place. I hope you are surrounded by many you love. I hope your life has everything it has to offer. And I hope, for each of us, when our circumstances are changed or somehow less than this that we will find the courage and strength to get through.
Thank you for being here, today.
c.s.
c.s.ellington 
We should all be more like, Mila. My Boxer girl is the same way. Always happy and it just comes from inside. Wonderful post and I love the photo too.
Posted by KatiesCameraBlog | October 28, 2011, 12:58 pmAww Mila looks absolutely adorable. I just love how shes captured in this photo. Amazing post
Posted by Kay aka Babygirl | October 28, 2011, 2:04 pmA great capture of a beautiful subject.
Posted by Rory Alexander | October 28, 2011, 2:33 pmThank you 🙂 happy to see each of you here ~ Mila sends love!!
Posted by csellington | October 28, 2011, 7:15 pmI’m happy for you that you have such a great friend as company, must be lovely and comforting when things don’t really go the way you’d like, to hug her, to go for a walk with her and let the wind blow all your sorrows away ! and they are so clever, they feel so many things, moods, .. give her a real big hug for me, and a hug for you and your kids too of course, love you ! ❤
Posted by Caroline | October 29, 2011, 4:37 amLove you, Caroline ~ you inspired me to get Mila bathed and back inside the house. I have missed her much, it has been a long time. Mila is exceptionally intuitive. I will give her a hug from you and I already know she sends one back!! Hugs from me, too. And kids send hugs 🙂 Caroline. .. I love all your messages, posts and letters. Much love. c.s.
Posted by csellington | October 30, 2011, 7:46 pm