Jan 26 2009
Country Comfort
PEOPLE OFTEN ASK ME, “Aren’t you afraid to be alone so far out there in the country?” And I always reply, “Not at all! The only way you can find my house is by total accident, or with specific directions.” If you have been given the directions, that generally means that I WANT you to visit, and if you show up because you are lost, you will have to take your chances with the dogs.
At one time we had 5 dogs in the yard, but life has a way of adding and subtracting our number of pets, usually at the hand of some other human. We only have two at this time, although a new member could be dumped out any day now. Why do people assume that when they are finished with their pets, it’s OK to dump them out in the country? We have gained some valuable animals that way, but some never make it as far as our door.
My dogs are Duchess and Wolfie. Both names are significant to the dog’s personalities. Duchess acts very “royal”. She is a picky eater, and will go out of her way to keep her feet out of a muddy spot. Wolfie is a big boy that loves to goof around and will knock you down in his efforts to play, but don’t be fooled. The one who acts like royalty is the one who would tear you to pieces if you threatened her masters, (she’s small and lethal!)
Many a UPS or FedEX driver has learned to honk before exiting their vehicle (most don’t exit at all). She’s never actually hurt anyone (that lived to tell about it) but I wouldn’t take bets on whether she would or not. Wolfie might hurt someone, but it would be from a concussion suffered when they hit the ground with a 60 lb dog on top.
This is why my country comfort is seldom disturbed. There’s nothing as comforting as knowing that my two guard dogs will faithfully watch over me, night and day, with no expectation of any payment other than Old Roy dog food and all the scratching, petting and ball-throwing I can do.
If they should fail in their duties, I have some inside pets too. They are known as Ruger, Winchester, and Smith & Wesson.
