This is a guest article from my forum and written by Dogmann. The poems were also written by the same gentleman and more can be found on his very interesting site.

WHY THE GREAT SPIRIT MADE THE DOG

A Story-myth in the Native American Style by Dogmann

Many people these days do not understand the dog. They think of the dog in a bad way. But the Great Spirit made the dog as a gift to the People. This is the story of how, and why, the Great Spirit made the dog.

In the beginning the Creator, (the Great Spirit) made the People to live on the Earth Mother, so that they could take care of Her, and so She could take care of them. The Creator also made all the animals to live with the People to help them, and to teach them.

The Great Spirit made the eagle to teach the People how to soar in their hearts, and to see their vision clearly. The Great Spirit made the bear to teach the People that there is a time for rest, and how to enjoy the bounty of the Earth Mother. He/She (the Great Spirit) made the deer to teach the People to walk softly through the forest, and be aware of all that is about them. He/She made the ant to teach the People how to be industrious, and to build a community together, and to live together. He/She made the wolf to teach the People how to hunt together and work together. And the Great Spirit made the coyote to teach the People to be cunning and smart. But the coyote was also a trickster.

Now in those days, the People could talk to the animals, and the animals could talk to the People. The People would walk and talk with the animals, and in this way learn from each other. The coyote would walk on two legs, and would not only walk and talk with the People, but also would live among them. But the coyote was a trickster. Coyote would play tricks on the People, and the other animals. Sometimes they were mean tricks. The People began to learn to play tricks. They played tricks on each other, and the other animals. Sometimes they were mean tricks.

After a while, the animals would no longer walk and talk to the People, and would not teach the People, out right. The People began to fight amongst each other, and split apart into tribes.

When the Great Spirit saw this, He/She became very angry at the coyote. He/She made the coyote walk on all fours, and forbid the coyote to live among the People ever again.

But the People were sad because they liked the coyote, and missed the coyote.

It was then that the Great Spirit, the Creator, decided to make the dog. The Great Spirit made the dog to look similar to the coyote. Although the dog was smart, like the coyote, the dog was not a trickster. Instead, the Great Spirit made the dog to be loving and loyal, and to be a friend to the People, and help them however they could.

When the Great Spirit was finished, He/She saw it was Good. So the Great Spirit sent the dog to live with the People forever. And the dog helped the People with their burdens. But most of all, the dog was also a very good friend.

Thank you Great Spirit. It is good!

This story is dedicated to Gnu, my Medicine Dog, who passed away in 1999.

Thank You

Dogmann

The Mountain Whose side is the Mountain on? The Mountain who sees A thousand year old tree as transient, Without criticism or conceit. The Mountain sits back and watches The self-righteous folly of humans Pass before Its eyes to oblivion, While discussing the yesterday, Of a million years ago, With It’s life long friend, the Sky. Yes we comment on It’s beauty, Never comprehending It’s soul. We haggle and argue, Fight and die, For a voice in a moment of time. Dare we chance, To stop in our tracks, To learn real truth and tranquillity, From the ancient wisdom of the Mountain?

Do Good and Be Happy I sit here alone in my camper Alone except for my dogs And I am happy The trees are all around me The mountains are all my friends The stars watch over me at night And Grandfather Sun lights up my day The deer come to visit me The hawk and crow say hello My vision seems unending My soul is eternal I thank you Great Spirit For the Gift of Life I thank you for all things That you give to us May I do good And be happy Thank you It is good