Evisceration

A clear blue sky, trees turning gold and orange and sumac turning crimson. Sunshine warms my back, and its light filters through the leaves to the gravel path, revealing...a convoluted mass of some critter's intestines.

I stare in horror as Abby snatches it with her teeth. I jerk her leash and she drops it. I breathe. Then Zac rushes forward, and he too, snatches the guts. I jerk his leash and he too, drops it. I step back before breathing this time.

Carefully watching the dogs, I pull a plastic doo-doo bag from my pants pocket, pry it open, and using all the intestinal fortitude I possess, I pick up the intestines.

And so is life with dogs, midst so much ethereal beauty, a reminder of the yucky side of life.