Nature's Drama Unveiled

How a morning walk altered my mindset

Ridgebacks living their best lives!

At 5.55am I woke up with palpitations. My mind racing through a laundry list of concerns. Whatever the cause it was not a pleasant feeling. Not giving it much thought, I had ridgebacks to walk and meetings to host, so there was no time for wallowing in self pity.

Once out on the fields, the hounds did their usual morning walk checks, pacing along the perimeter to ward off any lurking lions. Honestly, one has to be so careful living in the wild countryside of South Wales.

Typically I was trying to capture the sunrise peeping over the morning mist, but for some reason the dogs weren’t in sight. I gave it a minute, called on them both, still nothing. Once over the brow of the hill, there they were, heads hung low, Obi, the male ridgeback poised over Nya, the younger female.

As I thought, they had caught a rabbit.

Warning: look away now if you’re eating your breakfast or get queasy over the thought of dead animals being shredded.

The shift in my perspective changed in a split second.

I was literally minding my own business, taking photographs, trying to piece together why I woke up with palpitations to being jolted into action by the bloody drama unfolding in front of me.

Five years ago, I’d have been sobbing unable to deal the massacre at my feet. I would have been distraught over the fate of the rabbit. Instead I was fuelled by adrenaline. Once I knew the dogs would enjoy fighting over rabbit scraps, I stood back to appreciate the wonder of their prey drive and in awe of these dogs living their best lives.

What blew my mind more was that I was able to stand there calmly, listening to the noise of cracking rabbit bone, the intense sounds of animals fighting over their prey, with blood being splattered in all directions across the cool morning mist. It was like a scene out of pulp fiction minus the pistols. Had I become a warrior woman all of a sudden?!

I had arrived on the fields tense and troubled, with little understanding of why I woke up so worried. Now every inch of my body was alive. My senses awakened. It was as though my heart was firing through all cylinders. The adrenaline rush was insane.

The rabbit was shredded, dogs satisfied with their kill and within minutes we were back stomping across fields without a care in the world. I found myself invigorated by the energy and vitality of it all.

Without realising it, I was no longer caught up in a whirlwind of concerns and emotions. But reminded of the simple yet profound joys of living in the countryside.

Nature unfiltered and unapologetic.

It suddenly came to me that life is a tapestry of moments, both gentle and dramatic and it’s up to us to weave them into our narrative.

In a world where worries can consume us, these moments of unexpected perspectives are a reminder to embrace the complexity, the beauty and the unpredictability of our day.

NOTE TO SELF: Let’s not forget to be present, to appreciate the little moments that shape our lives and let go of worries. In the midst of life’s twists and turns, even rabbit chasing ridgebacks, there is a certain wonder that unfolds when we embrace the present moments in life.

Until the next time

Take care & stay safe xx