Jack

Silly Me

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Jack

I’m old and worn out. I’m the color of asphalt. I rarely smile and when I do I look silly.

I lack confidence. Why would anyone like me? I’m not an extrovert like Ash. I’m not pretty like Tess. I’m not cute and vulnerable like Nellie.

I have no sense of adventure. I have sad eyes that follow mom wherever she goes. I lie outside her computer room and guard her. I cannot stand to be separated from her. If she leaves without me I howl for a very long time.

Despite my flaws I am loved. How can that be? How does love transcend my shortcomings?

Mom knows I lack confidence. She tries to make me feel special. Yesterday she took me with her when she went to see Shane. Mom has known Shane for a long time. He helped her rehab her shoulder after she had surgery. Now they are pals.

Shane likes me. He invited me to come to his office while he worked on mom. Mom brought my travel bed and I lay down outside the door so I could watch. Nobody could come or go without me noticing.

Shane said I was really good. I was very quiet and did not intrude. When it was time to go I jumped up and ran to the door.

I am the only one who gets to visit Shane. Ash would be too busy. Tess would want to be the center of attention. Nellie would get confused.

Mom asked me to think about that. “Jack, what you see as shortcomings are also your strengths. We love you for who you are,” she said.

I pretended it was no big deal. No big deal to visit Shane. No big deal to be loved for the dog I am. Silly me. A tear slipped down my snout and I looked away. Mom gently wiped the tear off with her thumb and kissed me. I was over the moon. I am loved.

 

 

Tess

Big Mistake

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Tess

This whole thing happened about three weeks ago, but I couldn’t bark about it until now.

Ash says I have to fess up. He says it will help me think before I mess up next time. So here’s the background.

I was picked up as a stray on July 5th and I’m scared of fireworks. You put those two things together and bingo! I freaked out and bolted on the 4th of July. That’s how I lost my first home.

I landed in a shelter but because of my good looks I got chosen by some kids after a day or two. Turns out they couldn’t keep me so they put my picture on craigslist. That’s where mom and Ash found me. Mom paid my ransom and home I went to Asherpark.

When I first got to Asherpark I used to bolt and run every chance I got. The fence wasn’t finished yet and I got out a couple of times. I never came when called, but when my dad chased me down in his truck, I was always happy to jump in.

Two years later I’m at home at Asherpark. Ash is my best pal. I ride shotgun with my dad in the truck. Life is good.

A couple of months ago my stepbrother Don came to stay with us. He and dad always take me when they go in the truck. I like Don but I wish he would ride in the back seat instead of me.

This one day we’re heading home from the big city. Don tells dad the ladder is loose and needs to be tied down. They stop the truck and Don gets out to fix the ladder. Silly Don. He leaves the door open and out I jump.

Bad news for me. Don didn’t notice I jumped out. He gets back in the truck and tells dad to go. I was just leaving my mark when I saw the truck start up. I thought it was a joke, so I just kept sniffing and peeing.

Well, the joke was on me. Pretty soon the truck was out of sight and I was alone. My first thought was to chase the truck, but it was too late. I started getting all freaked out until I heard this barking in my head.

At first I thought I was losing my mind, but it was clear and loud. “Stay put. Sit down. Don’t move. They will come back for you.”

“Who are you?” I barked. “I am Codie, spirit dog. I watch over Asherpark,” came the reply.

I sat and waited. People came by and tried to pet me, but I barked them away. I never moved from my spot, even as hope faded and I began to fear the worst. What if they didn’t notice I was gone? What if they didn’t care?

And then I heard it. The loud noise dad’s cranky old truck makes when he goes fast. I heard Don calling my name. “There she is!” he screamed at dad. “She’s right where she got out.”

Dad slammed on the brakes. Don jumped out even before the truck stopped moving. I was delirious with joy. They really did come back for me. Just like Codie said they would.

 

 

 

 

 

Nellie

No More Smelly Nellie

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Nellie

I was so scared. Mom took me to the vet again, but this time she left me. They put me in a cage, just like when I was at the shelter.

I heard them say they would put me to sleep. I don’t want to die. Not now. Not now when I have a forever home.

They were going to kill me when I was at the shelter, but Old Dog Haven rescued me. Now I’m happy in my new home. I get good care, yummy food and lots of love.

But there I was at the vet hospital. They lifted me onto the table and soon I was asleep. I dreamed of big grassy fields with biscuits hidden like Easter eggs. I was young and could run forever. I saw Codie in her spirit fur and thanked her for sending me to Asherpark.

Next thing I knew I was back in the cage. I had a needle in my front leg with stuff dripping into me. I could taste blood in my mouth and my eyelid felt funny.

Turns out I had my first ever 100,000 mile check-up. Dr. Brad removed a growth on my eyelid and sewed it back up like it never happened.

When he looked in my mouth he saw a rotten old tooth that was falling out, so he pulled it for me. Then they scraped all the stinky plaque off my remaining teeth. Dr. Brad also cleaned  the junk out of my ears. Because I can’t stand to have anyone mess with my paws, they trimmed my nails when I was asleep.

Mom came and got me in the afternoon. I was groggy and could hardly walk. I got a basket full of pills and stuff. Antibiotics for my mouth, salve for my eye, and pain pills so I don’t hurt.

When I got home the pack checked me out. They smelled the blood in my mouth. Everybody noticed that my breath was sweet, not smelly like it used to be. My pee trap leaked a little when I was asleep, but mom washed it off and everybody agreed I smell as sweet as a flower.

Old Dog Haven spent a bunch of money to fix me up. My mom spends lots of time making sure I’m healing okay. The pack tries not to bump me when they run. What more could I ask for?

Thank you Old Dog Haven. You saved my life and now you made me feel so much better. I am one VERY lucky dog!