BarkingProse

These are my three friends – Pepper, Maggi and Libby. This picture was taken by their boss when they drove across country.

They have their own pack, but when they come to Asherpark we let them join the house pack. Then there are six of us. Boy does that make for a crowded kitchen.

Mom says the extended pack is a passel of dogs. I think that’s a nice way to say there’s one dog too many. Well that’s in the eye of the beholder.

Tess says Pepper’s a problem cause she wants to sit on the sacred couch with our dad. Jack says Libby is always taking his favorite bed.

I say the more the merrier. I love having my pals around. There’s always somebody to play with. Besides, I can outrun all of them.

You might remember this picture from an earlier bark. It’s one of my favorites. That’s Libby who has me by the throat. It was all in good fun.

When the guest dogs go home I sleep all day. Guess that means I’m pretty tired. Jack gets his bed back and Tess doesn’t have to share the couch. But you know what? We really miss our pals when they leave.

They’re here for a few days so we’ve got time to get into some more mischief. Mom says three plus three dogs equals a whole lot of trouble. I have no idea what she means…..

Anyway, gotta run.

I am Frieda. You can see that I am advanced in years. I am the beloved companion of Janine and Anita.

My people have known my godparents since before I was born. As a youngster I was in puppy care at the home of my godparents. They were living in the city then.

Codie was a young Aussie girl in those days, old enough to know her way around a garbage can but young enough to enjoy me as a pup. She taught me how to play Aussie bump and run.

I spent summer vacations at Camp Codie when my people were traveling. The rules were more lax there and I got to behave badly like an Aussie.

When Codie was thirteen my godparents brought home a little bundle of fur called Asher. I despised him. I was already in my middle years and couldn’t stand the little brat nipping at me.

Now that Asher is older I appreciate his company more. Codie and Asher moved to the country a few years ago. Ash grew into a country dog there and Codie enjoyed her remaining years with lots of space to roam.

I was with Codie the final day of her life. I knew she was ready to leave us because she no longer cared for garbage. She told me not to worry. She said I had many good years ahead and she would watch over me from the other side of the rainbow bridge.

When I am very still I can hear her. She speaks of celestial garbage cans that overflow with treats and treasures. Your people miss you Codie. So do I. Your forever friend, Frieda.