White Shepherd Stories

Help Mom, Quick!

Journey & Pirate

Pirate and Journey were out on the main part of the property and they were having so much fun I decided to let them play even though Quest and Spirit had both come inside for a nap.   The garage door was open, so they could come inside through the garage doggy door any time they wanted.   They like to play tag around the house and sometimes when they get separated, Journey comes in to see if Pirate has come inside.   

It was a beautiful day and as I kept glancing outside I saw them playing in the woods, chasing each other around the trees and then flying passed the front windows where I took a few pictures of them on the run.

Pirate & Journey

 

All seemed well with the young guys, so I went back to the couch to finish what I was doing.  About ten minutes passed and suddenly I heard a crash at the doggy door and Journey came flying inside at a thundering gallop, looking behind him as he ran for me.  He threw himself into my lap to be held.  I figured he had gotten separated from Pirate and for some reason he seemed a little worried.  After some hugs and kisses he headed back outside and I figured they would meet up and all would be well.  This time only about 2 minutes passed when Journey repeated his entry and again threw himself on my lap.  He was so worried I decided I had better go check on what was happening.  

Journey was so happy to have me come out, he quickly headed up to the agility field, at the top of our property.  Suddenly he had regained his confidence and he barked as he ran to join Pirate.  At the upper fence was a Beagle we did not know.  It was barking at Pirate, who was telling it the rules about coming too close to our property.  Apparently the Beagle belonged to a visitor at our neighbor's house.  He finally caught his dog and put it in the car.  Pirate came down the hill, very proud of himself.  He usually depends on Quest to do the main guarding, but i think having a little brother has pushed Pirate into growing up quite a bit.  

I went inside smiling about my little guy, who had come inside so frantic to get help for his brother.  Pretty smart for a pup only 4-1/2 months.  What wonderful buddies they are.  I don't know if Pirate sent him to run for help or if it was his own idea, but it sure was cute.  Quest would have been proud of both of them, but he actually slept through it.  I guess he trusts Pirate.  He has only recently started letting them stay out there alone.  

I did good mom, I am all grown up now.

What fun watching my boys grow up.  Journey will be five months old in a few days.  He is doing well in his obedience class.   I plan to let him start K9 Nosework class in March. That should be a lot of fun.   

Oh No .... Bad Mom ... Sad Puppy!

Why did you take all his toys mom?

Who knew I would start this day by traumatizing my sweet puppy.  I certainly did not mean to do it.   Journey is probably the most confident puppy I can even imagine.  He has been this way right from the moment he walked into our home.   He enters a room like "well hi, I am here".   He loves toys and luckily for him he ended up in a home with more toys than most puppies could even dream existed.   For one reason, I am a push over when one of my guys likes something.  Second, we have a lot of friends that send gifts. Third, agility trials normally present each entrant with a toy of their choice.  Then with each 1st place win they get another toy.  Since Spirit was an agility champ and has been doing agility trials most of his life, we were off to a good start.  Then Quest.began his agility career and even surpassed Spirit's records.  Add to this, the fact that my boys are not toy destroyers - and, well we have some toys that are as old as Spirit. Eventually even if a toy does get a small hole, I place it in the "hospital" and while I am watching TV, I sometimes do a little mending.  

All of the boys love toys.  Even Spirit occasionally chooses a stuffed toy to use as a pillow when he takes a nap.  Quest is especially fond of certain talking toys.  He is currently in love with a Pelican.  At odd times he will latch onto some long lost, bottom of the toy basket, stuffed toy, which he will dote on for several days. before abandoning it for something new.   When Pirate joined our family he thought the toy situation was really the greatest.  He also has his favorites.  He especially likes tiny toys.

Journey just likes them all.  What I did not realize was that he had such a good count of them all.   We have had a lot of rain lately, and since Journey has not yet grasped the concept of "inside toys" and "outside toys", we have some dirty toys.  We also have Halloween toys and Christmas toys that have not been put away.  This morning I thought it would be a good idea to do a toy laundry.  I collected all the Christmas and Halloween toys and any others that were particularly soiled.  I pitched them all in the washer, (unaware that Journey was watching me.)   A little soap, and I set the washer to work.   I became aware of Journey when he made a couple little "hum" noises.  He looked at me and I looked at the washer.   He was not liking the situation.   I have never heard him utter little worried sounds.like he was expressing.  I spent some time tickling his tummy and hugging him but the worry did not get better.   OK, lets go find some new stuff!  

I started pulling out toys from the lower levels of the baskets.  Some of the toys were ones Journey has possibly never seen - like the shaggy dog that sort of "moos".  It just seemed to worry him more. Since it is one of my favorites, I set out to make him appreciate it.  He only whimpered a little.  Keep in mind that this is not a whimpering kind of puppy.  I was baffled.  He did not like the mooing, shaggy dog.  He went back into the laundry room and sat down in front of the washing machine.  I watched him and thought about it - especially about how long it was going to take the toys to dry.  I thought how much better it would have been if I had just slipped a few in at a time, with other loads of laundry, instead of this whole load.  I never dreamed this could upset little Mr.Confidence.  Although it was nice to see the carpet again and I planned to vacuum, I thought maybe I should spread out some of the newly discovered toys in the interest of giving Journey some reassurance.  

Well, the toys are now out of the washer.  I have them stacked on window sills; in bathrooms; over the top of bird cages and along the top of railings.  I think we are still looking at maybe several days of drying time though.   So far Journey has not chosen any of the new toys.  Pirate found a beloved teddy bear he has not seen in months.  Quest spotted his Pelican on top of the bird cage and tried to talk me into giving it to him.  He has made do with a wubba for now.  

OK, this is not working.  Journey is definitely sad and that is definitely all wrong.  It is just not HIM to be sad.  I cannot ever recall seeing him sad and I really don't like it.  Clearly, he does not understand any of this.  Guess it is time to take some drastic measures.  

 

 

Give it to Journey, mom.  Maybe it will make him feel better.  He loves Dairy Queen.   

Well, it seems that everyone is feeling much better.  Journey has been playing with Quest and Pirate.  He has decided that there are still some toys worth playing with.  I have learned to NEVER wash that many toys at one time.  

Pirate & Journey

This is fun to play with Journey!  Just try it.

Journey will probably never forget the day the toys were all taken away .... well, OK, not all of them, but at least 42 of them.  When they are dry I will return them to his toy basket, except for the Christmas  and Halloween toys which I will put away until next season.  I have promised to be much more sensitive to his feelings.  I guess we just live and learn.  I had no idea how much he counted on so many of his particular toys.  Even his big brothers were concerned about him.   Bad mom!  Thank goodness for Dairy Queen and mini Blizzards.   

"OK I'm good now mom!"

A Cold Winter Night

 

I know you so well my Spirit.  Maybe as well as you know me. 

Tonight is very cold and I would rather that you just went out in the small, sheltered dog yard, as usual, after dark.  I am anxious to have you back inside with me, where it is warm and cozy.  You have different ideas though. Tonight you prefer going out into "the big outside", which is what we call our entire property area.   I opened the door and everyone raced out into the night: Pirate, Quest and little Journey trying hard to keep up.  It is very dark.  

I let you go.  At first you just moved beyond the lights of the house.  You wanted to see the gate and the road below.  You barked a warning several times, to any would-be intruders.  I thought you would come back then ... Pirate and Journey did.   But instead, you wandered down through the apple trees. Something told me that tonight you just needed this freedom.  I stopped myself twice when I started to call you back.  I worried - but I let you go .... further from me ... out of the light.

A very cold breeze contrasted the warmth at my back as I stood at the doorway watching you move away. I began to wonder why I was letting you go.  Why did it seem important to let you be in charge tonight.  I worry about the critters that might be out there at night.  I know there are deer, coyotes and raccoons.  I have seen them.  I have concerns about there being Mountain Lions and possibly even bear, though I think it is unlikely - this close.  I have heard reports of them a few miles further out.  I look for tracks but I don't believe I have ever seen any.  

I watched as your silhouette dimmed.   You were now only a faint lightness moving through the dark.  I became anxious as you disappeared behind trees and then reappeared, barely visible.

I started thinking about pulling on my boots so I could follow you.  It troubles me  that you can no longer hear me call you - one more step away...    I thought maybe I would just quietly stay in the background so you would not think I did not trust you or believe in you.   I never want to hurt your pride ... my great dog.  I understand the importance of your dignity but you are moving so far away, in the dark, and it scares me.  

Then just as you got as far from me as I thought I could possibly let you go ... a large white shape moved out of the darkness and approached you.   As it merged with you I saw you touch.  I should have known.  Quest was with you all along.  I needed never to have worried.  He simply waited in the shadows until time to give you reassurance.   I love that he allows you to go your own way and that he stays back, to let you announce the warnings.  He is there to back you up, as am I - but he does it better.   I watch the two of you walk slowly up the drive toward the house.  If Quest were alone he would be on the run, as usual, but he paces you and you are a beautiful team -  partners moving into the light - back to me.  

Well, that was earlier in the evening.  Now you are laying beside the couch where I can reach down and touch you.  Your body is warm and comfy and you are sleeping peacefully.   Quest is next to you and the kids, Pi and Journey have put themselves to bed after totally disheveling the covers on my bed. Quest will turn in soon but you will stay with me as you always do.  I have watched several mysteries, and one recorded rock concert.   Possibly not your choice, but you have always accepted my variety of taste in music, just as you have always accepted everything else about me.  

In a minute or so I will whisper, "Let's go to bed".  I will help steady your hind quarters as you rise to follow me down the hall.  I will keep my hands on your flanks, just long enough to be certain you are stable, then we will join the pack.  You will listen to me tell you once again, how very much you mean to me - to all of us.  

I am so very grateful to have you - close....

Spirit & Quest