Felicitas (Feli)

R I P FELI - You are in our hearts, forever and ever!

We found Feli in an animal shelter in the spring of 1999 - how lucky we were!! A little dog of indifferent breed - having been brought to Germany from Spain and then dumped - she is just the best from all dog-worlds. Feli set her heart on us the minute we rescued her (or did she rescue us ?), and has been the most loyal compagnion and our best friend ever since. Sadly Feli passed away on the 26th march 2010 - we are heartbroken and she will be missed eternally.

The House Dog’s Grave

by Robinson Jeffers

You were never masters, but friends. I was your friend. I loved you well, and was loved. Deep love endures. To the end and far past the end. If this is ...my end, I am not lonely. I am not afraid. I am still yours.

Image: Feli

Image: Feli again

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(photos: Silvia Göldner + Jim Clark)

Do not stand by my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am a diamond glint on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you wake in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight
I am the soft starshine at night
Do not stand by my grave and cry
I am not there . . . I did not die

-unknown

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On Joy and Sorrow

Then a woman said, “Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.”

And he answered:

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”

But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.

taken from "The Prophet", by Khalil Gibran