I'm at my old family home, out in the trees.

My recollection begins when I am wandering down the road outside the front of my house. By this stage, I am already lucid and have been for some time.

Out before me floats a red balloon attached to me by a string. I know in the dream that this is symbolic of me "being carried along by my heart". I ride with the metaphor, following the balloon with much enthusiasm, along the dirt road, and beyond past a neighbours property.

As we cross the fence, I see a big dog approaching. At first I'm nervous, but I don't let myself "obsess" over that. Instead, I meet the dog with courage in my heart.

This seems to change the substance of the dream. Now I am riding upon the dog - a big German Shepherd. It carries me forward. We climb up the hills, and I feel the strength of this animal, and the way it lends it's support to me. No easy task.

Later another smaller dog appears - leaping on my back. I just let it sit there, resting.

The dream style changes. No longer so lucid, it is as though I am remembering the "results" of these adventures. I hear something about a dream experience two friends had - James (a primary school friend), and another friend Gab. I know that these experiences were somehow connected with this German Shepherd. It all seems like a blessing.

I hear a report on this, saying something like, "together you created a golden triad of energy".

Comments: This is my second recent dream where the German Shepherd has played a guiding role. In the first, I was scared and fairly nervous about my time around it. In this dream, my response had changed.

I wonder why German Shepherd is showing up at this time. The dreams seem to have a common theme of overcoming fear and living with courage. I wonder what it is I might need such courage for?