The moment I met this Border Collie puppy, I knew my fate was intertwined with his.
For better or worse, I had the pick of the litter, which sounds exciting but is actually disturbing. Rather than saying yes to one puppy, you’re actually saying no to all the others, which in this case included five of the cutest, sweetest, most lovable Border Collies and one whiner who probably grew into a wonderful dog.
In the end, however, I feel as though fate bound Wynton and I together. Some of his sisters found me less interesting than the floor. Others pounced me now and again as a break from tackling siblings or chasing the cat. Wynton sat next to me and leaned into my hip. Every time I looked to see if he was still there, he’d gaze into my eyes and smile.
Sometimes, you just know.
When I write, I try to follow my intuition. But intuition can be a tricky thing. There’s always a reason we feel the way we feel, but intuition isn’t as simple as following the tug of emotion. What’s pulling on my brain? Why am I compelled this way or that? Why is my focus falling here? Often, the narrative arc gives a tactile surface to the intuitive touch. The inherent consequences or possible reactions for a character illuminate intuition’s meaning.
In life, intuition is much simpler. It doesn’t need to make sense. At my core, I’m just a dumb jock. I do what feels right on the field and live with the consequences. I don’t need more than a puppy’s wet nose and brown eyes to make me happy. How could I go wrong?
Don’t answer that.
An Appropriate Jam
I named Wynton after Wynton Marsalis, the greatest leader in America today. The Midnight Blues is the first Wynton Marsalis album I ever owned, and to this day, it has a special place in my heart. The music contains an urbanity that reminds me of the few good moments of my childhood. Two subtle notes from this man’s horn are enough to transport me to a place of ambiguity somehow beyond confusion.
I hope Wynton lives up to his name.
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