So often in a creative career, the magic that is required is quite simply the courage to go on.~Julia Cameron

She scampered into my office unannounced.  River, my colleague's new dog, that she had adopted from the SPCA.  "She doesn't like tile in the hallway, so we ducked into your office, because it's carpeted."  River wore a bright red harness that highlighted her black coat.  She didn't know what to make of me, a stranger.  We made eye contact, but she didn't rush to greet me.  First, she sniffed around the perimeter of my office, edging closer and closer to my desk.  She glanced at my colleague as if to say, "Is it safe to investigate this new person?"  I reached out to her, waiting. No sudden movements.  River sniffed my hand. I felt the cold wetness of her nose.  She backed away, still not certain of me--ambivalent--then walked back over to my colleague who sat in a nearby chair.  River's body quivered.  She couldn't sit still.  My colleague and I spoke of our holidays and I congratulated her on adopting River, as her older dog had passed away.  Then, in a burst of courage, River came over to me and placed her paws on my knees.  I laid my hands on River's head, feeling the softness of her ears, then ran my fingers down her smooth coat.  She licked my cheek.