This Week's Messier Moments: November 27

Animal creativity

I grew up with animals. At one point we had, on our four acres in the Texas exurbs: three dogs, a cat, a fish, and a mean-slash-misunderstood horse. But I never considered myself an animal lover, more of a “people person.”

That was before my daughters brought Rocky Ivan Drago Ipenfeld IV, a goldendoodle who literally gets by on his looks, into our home. He is a pandemic puppy, and I’m so grateful he brought light into that dark time a few years back. While I probably curse him as often as I coo over him, Rocky has helped me to better understand the magic of living among (other) animals.

Here are a few animal-themed Messier Moments for the week:

1. Magical creature: Draw, or write a description of, a magical creature. It could be one that captured your fancy in childhood, or it could be one entirely conjured by you.

2. Animal eye view: Write a piece of prose, poetry, or a comic strip from the perspective of an animal. It could be any animal: a house pet, a songbird, or a whale — you choose.

3. Still life with Chihuahua: Draw, or write about in close detail, a specific part of an animal. It could be a drawing inspired by your cat’s tail, a poem about your rabbit’s feet, or a written deep-dive about your dog’s nose.

We’re always eager to hear how it’s going! Don’t be shy, let us know at hello@messier.co.

Love is the language all animals understand.

— Anthony D. Williams