Our dear old dog, Zero, took his final breath yesterday afternoon. We buried him this morning. He has been our trusty and beloved dog-kin for 15 years. He has always been fully in life, showing up everywhere; in the home food forest,

at the community garden,

on long haul bicycle adventures,

not missing any of the birthdays,

down on the coast,

when we went to catch some fish,

on our laps as we went through the many harvest seasons,

at Forest & Free on Mondays as we built more huts in the village,

by the fire recovering from dog attack,

with friends who lived with us,

and friends who dropped in,

on walks in the commons, checking on the Bill Mollison memorial oak tree,

with family at special moments in our lives,

with the goats in the old quarry,

in the outdoor kitchen teaching the youngster how to clean up during a slaughtering day,

on the outdoor couch, eldering youngster Lilly Pilly and passing on the household’s dog-kin culture,

in our arms growing old together,

and finally, this morning, the elder under the elder.

Farewell little dog. You have taught us so many things. Your spirit and your soul live on in us, and in the garden.