Well, last weekend I was so thankful for the weekend. I thought I was going to have some quiet time — not that I can remember what that is right now. Anyway, the first half of this week has been anything but quiet. In fact, I actually went for a ride — wasting that precious fuel — just to have some quiet time.
Both of the boys are home for a few days. That is a real treat since we do not get to see them too often these days. One is on the west coast, the other on the east coast. So, they planned to come home at the same time so we could all spend some “quality” time together. Again, I repeat “the best laid plans….”
On Monday when the younger son came by the house, one of his two pups escaped. That’s a long story and not worth getting into. The pup is small — smaller than the opening at the bottom of the fence. You get the idea. This little pup is only four months old so I do suppose when she heard the mower start up and she was in an unfamiliar place she decided to make a run for it. (I thought of doing that as the week progressed.)
The Little Girl
According to eyewitnesses, she got about a five minute jump on us. Let’s face it, how far can a fast little pup get in five minutes. Well, I guess that depends. Of course, for those who have been regular readers, you know we live on top of a mountain — a two lane road winds in front of the house. There is no road behind the house. So, across the street is a steep drop down to Chattanooga. The back yard is not quite so steep after a few hundred feet, then if more or less levels off for several acres. Beyond that is woods, and more woods, and even more woods.
For anyone who lives in the south, you know about kudzu. Okay, so the woods is filled with kudzu in some places. The little pup could easily scoot through the brush and under the kudzu. On the other hand, people — like my 6′ tall son had more of a problem getting through it. We decided to make the rounds of the houses and hope for the best. After all, how far could a little pup get in such a short time?
The answer is that you would be surprised. That was Monday. We searched all Monday afternoon and most of Monday night. We started the search again on Tuesday. No pup to be found. We posted flyers everywhere we could. We went door to door. We stopped people on the road. No pup.
Finally, this morning we got a couple of calls that she (the pup) had been spotted. We searched all day. Tonight at about midnight, my two sons appeared at the door. One had the puppy in his arms. She is a little thin. She has a few scratches. But, she is well — hungry, eating well, wet nose, rear end wagging (her tail has been docked).
Now, here’s the real catch to the whole story. My son brought his dog and his wife’s dog for a visit. His wife has gone to her parents for the week. Both of the kids have to be back in classes next Tuesday so this was their last chance to visit parents for some time. The lost puppy is my daughter-in-law’s puppy. This was the first time my son had taken care of both pups. In other words, this was a test. And, until tonight it looked as if he had failed it miserably.
Well, all’s well that end’s well. And, thank goodness, this is a tale that ended well. I am so thankful for the kind neighbor who enticed the pup into his house with food and called to say he had her. And, as much as I love the boys and their wives and the granddaughter and the two pups ….
I’m still looking forward to quiet time. And, I am thankful I see that on the horizon.
Bea is Back!
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