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The Rest of the Story

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Tess and Jack

Me and Tess are helping Ash out this week while he gets over his barker’s block. I got on Tess a little bit because she was supposed to finish her bark two days ago.

She finally posted her bark yesterday. I guess she was feeling kinda guilty because she barked a lot about her bad self. I’m not disagreeing that Tess has a bad self, but there’s a lot more to her.

See the picture of me and Tess. It was taken a few weeks after I came to Asherpark. I was still messed up in the head. I didn’t know whether they’d keep me, or if I would really be accepted into the pack.

Tess and I got into a few times over treats. Once she jumped me in the yard. I put her down and had her by the throat when I thought better of it and let her go.

This is my favorite picture of me and Tess. See her paw on mine? She was trying to tell me everything would be okay. She wasn’t mad at me about our food fights. That simple little gesture meant the world to me. I almost started to cry.

Over time Tess has become a really good friend. Once when a guest dog attacked me, Tess jumped in to protect me. We understand each other and like hanging out together.

Tess is a complicated girl. She can be devious and self centered. That’s her stink eye side. But she’s also sweet, gentle, loyal and brave. I love Tess. I hope she knows it.

Tess

More About Me

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Tess

It’s unfortunate that I’m so self absorbed. I’m not sure why I am that way. Jack says I act like a pampered little princess sometimes. I believe that is true.

You see the split down my face. It’s like my personality has two sides too. I can be the most kind and loving friend. then I’ll suddenly act like a little brat.

It’s a good thing that Ash and Jack are patient with me. They’re so easy going they just ignore my bad behavior.

Every morning I go in the truck with dad to get the paper. The boys never complain. If dad goes to town, I go with him. Sometimes he picks up a buddy of his and I have to ride in the back seat. That really annoys me.

This past week we had some guest dogs. The three Labradors that Ash likes so much. Everything was fine until Pepper decided she wanted to sit on the couch. Not on my couch! I shot her the stink eye and forced her back.

Unfortunately mom was there and she saw the whole thing. She made me sit politely while Pepper climbed on the couch. I was mad and humiliated at the same time. Pepper shot me a sly smile and took up her place right next to dad. I was fuming. I started pacing around and acting real agitated.

I forgot mom was still watching when I growled at one of the blondes to keep her distance. That was it. I had to lie quietly by dad’s feet and cut out all the stink eye stuff.

That was the worst part. I’m part border collie. I have a stink eye gene that was developed to keep the sheep in line. Since we don’t have any sheep, I use it on people and dogs to get my way. I hate it when mom says no stink eye.

Well, I’m getting tired talking about me. I’d better go see what the boys are doing. They may be getting too much attention.

Respectfully, Tess

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Barker’s Block

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Jack

I’m writing this for Ash. Poor guy. He’s had barker’s block for a week now. I thought he could get over it in a couple of days, but the longer it goes on the more defeated he feels.

I shoulda stepped in sooner, but I didn’t want Ash to think we’d lost confidence in him. He was doing real well, posting a bark every day in September like he promised. Then he hit the wall.

Ash barked earlier about Codie and her rose. He said Codie came to him from beyond the rainbow bridge and told him she would put thoughts in his head if he stayed real still.

Because she doesn’t wear her fur any longer, she chose a rose as her sign. Last week three new roses appeared. They’re a beautiful salmon color, chosen by Codie because she liked the taste of salmon so much. When Ash saw the roses he got real quiet. He started listening to the wind and spending lots of time thinking about the past.

I told him the past is inside him. It’s part of his life today. I told him not to dwell on the past but be grateful for the good part and forget about the rest.

I know something about having a past. Most of my life I lived with people who didn’t take very good care of me. I’ve got the scars to prove it. But when my luck changed and I came to Asherpark, I left the bad stuff behind.

If Ash wants to hear Codie, he has to stop trying so hard. He has to let his spirit run free and Codie will catch up with him when he least expects it.

Ash feels real low that he broke his promise about a bark every day in September. But he’s only a week behind. Tess and I decided that we can make up those barks in no time. She’s busy barking out a bunch of news right now. We’ll have to back date our barks till we get caught up, but I don’t think anybody will mind. Once we get current Ash can take over again.

Ash said he’s really grateful for the help. I understand that but it’s no big deal. You help your pals when they need you. They’ll do the same for you. It’s what makes for a good strong pack. Anyway, that’s the news for today. Stay tuned.