Autumn Sunshine

Richmond Park on a day when the forecast was heavy rain. Not a cloud in the sky, the sun low and dazzling, the dog leaping with joy through the trees, chasing squirrels she will never catch. This is joy. Kashi paddling in the pond, teeth firmly clenched around a saggy yellow punctured tennis ball, her delicious delight. She shakes herself and rainbow sprays of water splash over my clothes. We laugh - or she barks, her laughter? Throw the ball, she demands loudly, when I put it away in my pocket. Another squirrel. Ball forgotten, she rushes off in hopeless chase, the stub of her tail franticly wagging in her glee of being outside in this beautiful November morning.