Sunday morning story from Camp Snooty....I apologize there are no pictures, but sometimes you just have to enjoy a moment for what it is and know the memory will forever be in your head and heart: It was a late start this morning at Camp Snooty, as I let everyone sleep in as long as they wanted since it is so cold and wet outside and fortunately today, we had no need to rush. The morning routine for all the big dogs is to head out to the pasture, take the cut path on the left side....investigate every square inch of the fence row with their noses to make sure no coyotes breeched security over night. They follow the path up the hill, cut right with the fence line then head to the pond, woods, and brush pile for hunting. The little guys always just do their own thing in the back yard while everyone else heads off to work. Patrick and I were watching from the windows when Franklin and Willing Lea (for new followers, Franklin is a paralyzed beagle pup and Willing Lea is a CH Shi-Tzu pup...so neither have the mobility of the others) decided they wanted to go to work with their big foster siblings. Slowly they navigated their way to left side of the yard and hit the path that they have watched the others hit flying every morning for months. Franklin had his hop on and Willing Leas legs looked like they were going 100 mph even though she was covering only about a foot with every 10 steps.....and the biggest smile on her face you have ever seen. She was so excited about this adventure. Anytime Franklin got ahead of her, he would stop, turn around, and wait for her to catch up and then continue with her by his side. They made it about a a quarter of the way up the fence row (this is quite an incline for them) when Willing Lea decided she was going to turn back and head home. I dont think she discussed this with Franklin before she headed back. He sat and watched and when Willing Lea got back into the yard and was headed for the deck he began to bay at her. At this point, Willing Lea had to be exhausted because this is A LOT of work when your body is battling constant tremors and ataxia and every step you take comes from sheer will because your brain cant fully communicate with your muscles. She rested for a bit, Franklin bayed....she barked back. Franklin bayed. Now, Im not sure what led her to start the journey back to Franklin...did she refuse to be outdone by her brother? Was it peer pressure? Or maybe she felt like she let him down....who knows, but all 4 lbs of her got up and started heading back to the path and then back up the hill. I couldnt believe how quickly she got back to him. Off they went again. At about the halfway mark she needed to take a break so Franklin stopped and sniffed at the fence row. He turned to her and bayed....she barked....he bayed....she barked. Im pretty sure this conversation had to do with everything his beagle nose was smelling for the first time and he wanted Willing Lea to smell it to, but she convinced him that his descriptions would work just fine for her and then ended with her letting him know she was ready to keep moving. Up the hill they went until they were about 3/4 of the way to the top and stopped. At this point we are thinking that were about to have to head out for them because if they hit the top of property and turn right....they are headed straight for the pond, not exactly where they need to be without us. But...we watched. They sat at this point and played with one other, wrestling gently on the ground....having their own special game of tag. This went on for about 10 minutes. Then Franklin bayed....Willing Lea barked...back and forth they conversed when SUDDENLY they decided they needed to get home and get home fast and down the hill they came. I dont know how Willing Lea kept from falling....with gravity on Franklins side he was making record speed with his hop and Willing Lea was there with him NEVER FALLING DOWN....she did however start going crooked and got off the path and ended up in the pasture....still going though...not stopping!!!! Now, the pasture grass is short, but its rough terrain, not like the path....and she still hasnt fallen!!!! Franklin proved himself a gentleman once again and headed to the pasture to be by her side....I think he knew this time that it just wouldnt be easy for her to come to him. He caught up and then, slowly, they made their way down and back to the yard, headed to the deck when Franklin noticed us in the window. And he struck that strong and cocky beagle pose....Beagle friends, you know what Im talking about right? He hit that pose and looked at us like yeah, I did that....I climbed that mountain and took care of my sister the whole way. I went to work today, too, just like the others. I would be lying if I told you that every day is sunbeams and rainbows around here, especially on a cold and wet December day when everything seems so dull and heavy. But those two....they just made their own sunbeams on that hill and they shone so bright that right now I am filled whole and warm. Peace and Puppies Yall Shawn PS.... If everyone who personally knows me will remind me of this moment later in the week when you hear me yell Franklin!!!!!!!! from miles and miles away for the hundredth time.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 16:53:20 +0000
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