Silver Creek Face your wall

Ssshhhhhhh...

The soft whispers of rushing water echoed everywhere, filling the woodlands with its ceaseless chatter. The breeze whistled through the pines gently, adding its own high notes to the refrain, punctuated sharply by the eager chipping of boreal chickadees catching up on the morning's news within the stately boughs.

It was a truly beautiful morning. Yes, that was passing judgment on a morning that just was what it was, but Enso still found it to be such. He stopped, closed his eyes, and inhaled deeply, savoring the earthy scents of moss, mud and pine.

The man was not a wolf - similar, but there were stark differences. Most notable was his striking fire-orange and snow-white coat, which was plush and elegant. A plumed tail was held high and coiled over his back, his face broad and round. Enso Sensei was an Akita, descended from loyal hunters and guardians that graced the islands of Japan. That lineage served him well as he wandered the wilds aimlessly, now finding himself at the doorstep of a new vista that seemed pregnant with teachings. What will I learn here? he mused, Who will I encounter?

Opening his rich brown eyes once more, he moved very slowly, each step modest, taken in full presence as he followed the creek's course. Each sound, smell, sight, delighted his senses, singing of the thrumming of life in each millimeter he covered. After some time, he found what he was searching for - a large, upright boulder, likely a hitchhiker from the last glacial melt. Its front surface was relatively smooth, and to the Akita's eyes, most welcoming.

He turned sharply to slowly walk to the inviting stone sentinel. Upon reaching it, the dog crisply placed both of his front paws together, elbows splayed, and bowed his head so low that his nose touched the earth. He then sat down in front of it, adjusting his hindquarters and tail until he was comfortable. Head erect, gaze lowered, he then went completely motionless, becoming little more than just another part of the environment. To any passersby, he would hardly stand out save for his vibrant hide.

A perfect morning for wall-gazing.