Freud defined melancholia as a state of stuckness, about living with a loss so impoverishing that it paradoxically enriches you. Being melancholic, then, isn’t just about having the blues; it’s also about holding on to a lack that feeds you.
Autumn Melancholia Antidote
The photograph of our dog Junior in a game of chase is one that always makes me smile and tears away whatever might be weighing on me. He was our first Belgian Sheepdog and has been gone just a little over a year. When I see the image I’m reminded not only of the good life we offered him, but also the great gifts he gave us as well.
He was a fast friend, ever present companion, and always reminding us to squeeze a little more out of life. Exactly what’s necessary to combat the autumn melancholia that descends on me this time of year.
And even though the loss of Junior was rough, his absence oddly helps me along now.
Dogs. Always Dogs
Lily is Junior’s niece. And Aiden is his great nephew. I see many qualities of Junior in Aiden.
Lily was to be our last dog but she became despondent with Junior gone. We didn’t want to go through raising another puppy and were concerned at our age that a young dog could outlive us. While talking with the Belgian breeder who we’ve gotten all of our Sheepdogs from she indicated that her current AKC Champion (Aiden) had been injured and could no longer show. She would love to be able to place him with us. Making the decision to take four-year-old Aiden into our family was a fine decision. For Lily. And for us. And as a show dog in a home of show dogs Aiden spent a lot of time confined or crated.
Coming to our home would be the first time he had “run of the house.” The breeder told us he would have a much nicer life as a pet. And I can say that he’s fully embraced being a dog here and taking advantage of every opportunity to be a house dog.
And both Lily and Aiden can, among other magical qualities, chase away the autumn melancholia!
Interesting, and wonderful, all in a short take – melancholia isn’t always a terrible thing, even though its origins can be frequently dark or daunting. And, the process of lifting another’s darkened spirits – in this case, Lily’s – usually can’t help but to lift our own.
Every season has its own beauty. When it comes to Autumn I appreciate the change in colors — from green to yellow, red and orange. I understand that those colors are always there but are covered up by the green. Enjoy the day or the season. It will lift your spirits especially as you are out riding on your Vespa!
You are absolutely right Karl. Each season is a unique, special, beautiful experience. I am grateful to witness them. Autumn is here and I sense will be gone before I know it. So my Vespa and other machines shall whisk me into the world!
Hi Steve.
This is the first Autumn without the blues.
Thanks for your videos and commentary
Going for a ride today @
It’s nice to realize the blues have departed. And going for a ride will just make everything better!
It sure is strange the twists and turns our minds, hearts, and lives take. I’m happy to be on the ride!
Brilliant photography. Captures your mood so well.
Thank you Kevin. It’s always a strange time of year for me.
I’ve been trying to focus more on Vespa content after some of your previous comments. It’s tougher now as I spread my attention around to four machines where two are not scooters. I ride the scooters a lot but I’m getting lazy in my old age in regard to making pictures or videos…
Melancholia. Ah yes. I had a big black, gentle, six toed cat for 18 years, most of which I lived alone. He was wonderful company. I keep a picture in an obvious place and it gives me a sad but comfortable feeling to remember the times we had.
Yeah, I have fond memories of many dogs in my life. And a couple cats. Bittersweet. But I am glad I have them.
No one likes losing a dog, I miss all that I’ve been lucky enough to live with. But Autumn is so pretty! I love riding and walking with the leaves swirling in the air and the colors are amazing! The trees and plants have been busy, they need to take a nap, things need to be quiet for a bit. Just say no to melancholia.
I smiled reading your note when you came to “nap.” I need a nap right now. Head hurts, tired, sore muscles, and a handful of medications to take that I wish was otherwise.
Tomorrow the dogs and I will be walking in the swirl of leaves. And I hope the melancholia fades with the sunrise!
Wow!! We adopted three good-sized dogs from the shelter and one cat from the pet store. Two of the dogs are 10, one is 7, and the cat is 3 and the boss of everyone. We are proud to be able to adopt, and we receive many more blessings than we can possibly give them!
(We did not get them all at once!!)
We adopted dogs from the shelter here and they’ve been incredible companions. We stumbled upon the Belgians in an attempt to “replace” the last shelter dog with one we thought was similar. Each of our three Belgians were considered “rejects” in terms of showing. Junior’s ears fell down making him unsuitable to show. Lily’s teeth were slightly off making her unsuitable. And Aiden was an AKC Champion but a shoulder injury meant he could no longer show. Those “rejects” have been incredible additions to our family. And the breeder is so caring about all her dogs and placements. It’s like we’re part of a big family. And part of the adoption agreement states that if something happens and we can no longer care for the dogs, she’ll take them back. She wants to know her dogs are in good places and well cared for. We feel honored to have stumbled into the canine situation we find ourselves in.
I should go downstairs now and rub some dog bellies!
your photos of your Belgian sheepdogs are beautiful, they speak to me. We have a rescue dog that happens to be a Belgian sheepdog maybe mix, but he looks just like your purebreds. My daughter saw him online and just said thats the one. Had no idea He has high energy but can also lay down for hours. I like your idea of melancholia.
We are grateful to have stumbled upon the Belgian breed. They are fine dogs, high energy, but as you say, happy to lay around too. They’re waiting now for their last outing of the evening!