Dogs watching over Sam's river and our town

The dogs have come to Rotary Park in Putnam, Ct. This is not unusual when they are the tail wagging, walking, living, and breathing type, These dogs are made of steel and tower over the tail wagging variety and people who come to stare! I have heard that some people think they are "dumb", " weird" why are they here? I went to see these giant replicas of "man's best friend" today. They are on loan from an artist who created these iron beasts for a traveling art show. The Putnam Art's Counsel paid to have them come to our area for a short stay. The first on I saw was "Watching" over the Cargill falls. The next few were facing toward the roadway, lined up in pairs, and scattered around. As I walked my normal route I passed "Sam's rock, the one the Johnny "Tat" and Jeremy painted in honor of Sam Miller, my son. The one who died in that fall in May. As I took a picture of that rock I noticed that there was a dog facing that rock as if the huge "watch dog" was looking out for Sam's rock. I began to ponder, Dogs have a lot of meaning in many people's life, including mine and my son's. They can be companions, therapy animals, watch dogs, guard dogs, seizure dogs, awareness animals, response dogs, working dogs. Dogs can alert us to danger before we know it is evident. As I continued to ponder, walk the park, taking pictures of the park, I saw many dogs positioned as if watching that river. I felt an odd sense of comfort. Yes, I know that these huge iron dogs can do nothing to stop someone else with impulsive tendencies such as my son. I do know that people talk to animals, though and sometimes a simple peace of art can ease minds and bring comfort to the soul. These dogs seem to be watching the streets, the river, and the park, if only for a brief time. Is this a foolish feeling? Perhaps, the musing of a mother who finds comfort in over sized iron dogs is foolishness. They seem a reminder of other dogs that watch and comforted in the past or that someone is watching.

The other perspective is that art of any kind always draws differing opinions! LOVE IT< hate it! Do not understand it, people will have their own opinion of any art displayed but they will NOTICE art and these dogs do draw your eye to Rotary Park! The Art Counsel did something interesting! I have a plan that this works well with and I will be having our nonprofit contacting the counsel of the Arts soon for PTT! STAY TUNED!!!