In the late 1990s, I walked into a pet store to purchase dog food for my German Shepherd, Louie. I left with dog food and a new friend for Louie. Gobi was found roaming the streets of Duluth, MN and he was up for adoption at the pet store. I adopted him on the spot, grabbed the food and our family was one being bigger. In 2010 I wrote this text as a journal entry while watching my sweet Gobi follow me with his soft brown eyes. He was in his last days and I had a commission to compose a piece about dogs or cats for the South Bend Chamber Singers. I took the opportunity to write “Dog From Duluth,” celebrating Gobi and rejoicing in the precious, innocent spirits that are our animals.

Commissioned and premiered by the South Bend Chamber Singers, Nancy Menk, conductor.