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A quote: “The more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the more genuine may be one’s appreciation of fundamental things like home, and love, and understanding companionship.” ~~ Amelia Earhart
I’ll start with a story …
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There wasn’t a black and white “cat” that Roxy wouldn’t chase. I should’ve bought stock in tomato juice!
She was such a fun girl, from the double handful of wriggle in the “Free Puppies” box to growing pains of chewed shoes and swiped sandwiches (Roxy was partial to cheese).
There was the cold nose to rouse me when the alarm failed and the brave couch partner to see me through scary movies – and, of course, popcorn.
She is such the good girl, and I tell her that while asking her to close her eyes and sleep, this one last time.
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Now, it’s your turn.
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. featured image, cropped, Adobe Stock standard license.
Lloyd says: Touching…..Been there, done that too many times.
Cameron says: “Oh for God’s sake,” I growled. “Complete immersion in a mud puddle while trying to chase a cat who did not want to be chased. Then you top it off by crashing through a thorn bush which meant I had to extract you.”
I poured water into a cup and rinsed the soap off. “And as if that wasn’t enough, you’re not even my dog! What do you have to say for yourself?”
He shook himself and gave me a look that said “I regret nothing.”
“Fine. If you’re staying, your name is Calamity. Deal?” The wagging tail sealed the bargain.
Fletch says: (not pictured) the little girl, all giggles, and the water balloon hidden behind her back.
(not pictured) the little house where she lived with mommy, daddy, Butch and Sis.
The dinner around the table (not pictured), the chores to do, and the homework – with daddy looking over her shoulder.
(not pictured) the tucking into bed with the nightlight left on – just in case. And the morning after when they piled into the van to go shopping for laundry detergent and cupcakes.
The young lady she becomes (not pictured), the scholarship she wins, and the wholesome goodness which infuses all of it (not pictured).
(pictured) Rufus, the ornery dog, who deserved what he got.
As Nicky and Basil played on the terrace, Elaine realized what she’d been missing ever since she came up here to live at Sparta Point. This was the first time she’d lived in a house without a dog.
Back in Iowa they’d had Tuffy, the big German Shepherd mix that had patrolled the farmstead like a night watchman, ready and willing to take on all comers. In Silicon Valley, the Alandales had Raffles, a fun-loving beagle who’d come running to say hello with happy jumps when she came home.
When she raised the question to her husband, he responded with a noncommittal murmur. But two days later one of his people came back from Eureka with a basket. Within it was a little puffball of a puppy, so small Elaine could hold it in her cupped hands.
And then she realized why Spartan had requested a dog so small it would have to stay indoors. This was lion country, and anything but the largest of dogs would be prey for a mountain lion. Not to mention this was technically state forest land, and dogs were not supposed to be going running through the redwoods like Tuffy had run through the fields back on the farm.
A ranger finding a loose dog and coming around asking questions is definitely something we can’t afford.
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