As the postman walked away from our door, I got a little
worried about the contents of the official “Special Delivery” letter that was
just handed to me that I had to sign for.
My mind flashed over the things that I have been involved with during
the last year or so and I tried to think of anything that may have happened,
nothing came to mind. Maybe I won
something or a long lost uncle put me in his will, but as luck would have it,
that was not the case as the letter would state. It was just the opposite… Looked like bad news…
I was scheduled to attend a meeting the very next day and it
stated “Attendance is mandatory; “failure to comply is punishable by law”. This looks serious, but what I didn't
understand, was the location of the meeting… It was at my house! This seemed
strange, but who knows, maybe they wanted to look at my business books or check
to see if I paid my taxes. My mind was now
racing, what in the world could this be? The sweat was running down my back! The next day I walked into the family room….
It can't be…
I never…
How strange…
Oh my Goodness
Ohhhhhh Crap
Sitting in the front of the room before me was one of my
most beloved dogs…yes, you heard me right…
“Clancy?”
“This meeting will come to order, we have a problem that
needs to be addressed” he said.
“What the”…..I started.
“QUIET…this meeting has been called to order, did you not
hear?”
I was speechless; nothing would or could prepare me for this.
Molly, Dutchess, Meg, Annie, Abbie, Gabby and Doc were also
in attendance, but Clancy was the leader which I thought was fitting. This was a scene taken right out of George
Orwell’s Animal Farm. The
farm animals have taken over, except it was only the Border Collies, (no
chickens, cats or fish were in attendance) which made it all the scarier.
My mind racing, I still couldn't get my brain wrapped around
the problem. Clancy stated that while
they appreciated the farm and all, there was ONE problem that needed to be
corrected immediately! Without further ado he stated quite loudly “We Need More
Play Time”!! With this being said, the
other Border Collies nodded their heads in total agreement and Dutchess shouted
“more food too”... Clancy’s gaze focused
on me, he asked “And what say you?” everyone was looking at me.
I thought my defense was pretty straight forward and I was
doing a pretty good job keeping everyone busy.
However, I knew I had probably been a little lax in this area simply because
of all the work involved in building the new fence and adding onto the current kennel. In my defense, I further stated they have
warm blankets, clean water and very expensive food. Molly spoke up reminding all, that they can
sleep on the ground and often do…I looked at her and said “Et tu, Brute?” And to my
amazement she said “Id est quod id est” I was shocked! Could
this be a dream?
I reiterated to them once again how expensive the food was
and how I wanted them to have a balanced meal and….
“Fluff!” Clancy said “Nothing
but fluff. We can eat anything and
before man, we hunted and killed our food! YOU have made us weak!” I said, “We can cut back and do more with
less….Food!” Dutchess perked up and sat a little straighter, “Are we sure we
want to do that? I mean we ARE talking
about food, aren't we? By the way, did
you bring a snack?”
Before it was all over, everyone had had their say. What it simply all boiled down to was “More
Play Time”! Everyone got hugs, bellies were scratched and I even got a few licks
on the forehead! Everyone was happy! I was sworn to secrecy and was told never to
mention this, not a word to anyone! Me being me, I had to ask as we were
leaving, “How can this happen?” “Don't
ask” Clancy responded, “We'd have to kill you”.
On the way out, Dutchess said; “Listen about the meeting, I didn't want anything to do with this…How about we stop and get a snack to smooth things over”… PLEASE LET ME WAKE UP!!!!
As my eyes fluttered, I woke with a jolt in my recliner, all I heard was
barking and when my eyes focused, Clancy was lying in a chair and Dutchess was
barking. I immediately jumped up and got
them a snack and we walked, no we ran to our play area and played ball and
Frisbee until “they” were tired.
Please…..whatever you do, include more play time with your dog
or you might just get the “Notice” too!
Footnote: This being
Memorial Weekend, please take time to remember our fallen soldiers and their families. I encourage you, as I most certainly will be
doing myself, to keep in mind the blessing of family, those still with us and
those that have left us with only their memory.
On one final note, Elaine and I
will be remembering our beloved, fallen, four legged family members, that are
waiting patiently….for us, on the other side of Rainbow Bridge….and to my boys, Little Shepp and Max…I Love you…Dad.