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| 📷 Pierre Stickney, public domain |
“Bark, bark! My name is Bravo,” said the dog over the fence. “Come for a visit. My humans own this land.”
Mosey looked over at Bravo, a strong, proud black labrador. Hesitant, he asked first, “Yip! Are you sure it’s okay? I don’t want to get sent away.”
“Yes! Yes! You are welcome here. I’ll be your friend. Besides, my human likes animals and will likely take you in. But,” sniffed Bravo, “you may have to get a bath first!”
A bit embarrassed, Mosey the Mutt replied, “Well, yeah, I guess that would be okay. What about some food? I am a bit hungry. See, I’ve been traveling a long way, trying to find my humans. We were camping in the woods, but I followed after a squirrel, who led me to a raccoon. Then I followed the raccoon, who led me to a cat. Then I followed the…”
“I see, I see,” said Bravo. “Well, you have a nice necklace on. I’m sure my human can check it out and try to help you find your humans.”
“Can he? Can she? That would be wonderful!” cried out Mosey. “Oh, I’m Mosey, by the way.”
“Bark! Bark! Good to meet you.” Bravo reached out his paw to Mosey, who hung his head down and slowly walked forward. They sniffed each other out, started laughing, and played away the afternoon.
By dinner time the human returned. “Aw, a little scruffy, scraggly mutt,” said the human. “Bravo, you did good keeping him company. But he looks a little hungry. Let’s get some food.” So the human went to get Bravo and Mosey big bowls of crunchy dinner.
“A feast!” thought Mosey. “yum, yum, yum,” he delightfully and noisily ate up his meal. Then lapped up fresh water. “Thank you Bravo, and thanks to your human.”
“No sweat,” Bravo smiled.
“Now my little darlings, I think you both need baths!” The human had returned with the water hose and an inflatable baby pool.
After bathing, they all sat out on the grass. Human had a glass of iced tea, and the dogs each had a rawhide chew. Human reached over to look at Mosey’s necklace: name, human name, and phone number.
Yes, human had to call to let them know Mosey’s whereabouts. Even though it would be fun having another dog, Mosey’s family would be worried and sad.
Two days later a camper pulled up to Bravo’s house. A man, a woman, and two boys got out and excitedly ran over to Mosey.
“Bark!” Bravo called to announce their arrival. Human came out and talked to the visitors. They exchanged greetings and talked about their recent events.
As they did, Bravo and Mosey looked at each other, each whimpering a bit. The two human boys noticed and let them get together one last time. Bravo and Mosey sniffed each other out, started whimpering again, then laughed. “It’s okay,” Bravo said, “you had an adventure, made a friend, and now get to go home again.”
“I did. Yes, indeed I did. Thanks to you and your human for being so kind to me. I will never forget,” Mosey said, as he reached out his paw to Bravo. They wrestled lightly but politely. It was time to go.
Mosey peered out the back window of the camper, paws on the window, as the family drove away. Bravo sat bravely, “Bark! Bark!” His human waved.
“Yip! Bark!” cried out Mosey. “What a lovely place to visit.”
Be of help.
And then, even in the goodbyes, life is good.
Theresa M
