~ So Many “Oranges” ~
A morning this brisk and pack parents deeply engaged in two-legged matters led the pack-of-four to seek warm and cozy corners to muse and nap. The overly energetic (and youngest of the pack) had tried to pry pack-dad from his work using various techniques to no avail.
Trotting to and fro about the house, while rolling a tennis ball in her mouth, Promise Prudence Pepper settled on slumping down next to Tucker with an exaggerated sigh.
PRU: Tucker, tell me the oranges story again.
TUCKER: Oranges? Is Mom eating an orange… is she sharing?
PRU: Not oranges, our oranges story… Where we came from and how we got here to our home.
TUCKER: Origins Pru, not oranges. Didn’t we just do this?
PRU: For a pack sheriff, you sure have a rusty memory. That was a year ago—my first Christmas here, remember? C’mon Tuck, please?
TUCKER: If you stop making mouth noises with that ball and be still for a minute.
The now very wet tennis ball was promptly ejected across the floor, and Pru curled into her tight circle with her muzzle near Tuck’s, eyes wide and bright, anxious for Tuck to start. With a sigh of resignation, Tuck began.
“Dad was on the Navajo reservation with his big truck, delivering sundries to a senior center, he was busy trying to unload his truck. He had to keep stopping the lift-gate to keep from crushing a tiny puppy running in circles underneath the truck.
“He jumped down in frustration and asked one of the Navajo men helping unload, ‘Who’s dog is that?’ just as Hazel made another pass around the truck.
“The Navajo man deftly scooped her up, handed her to Dad, and said, ‘Yours.’
“Dad checked her over, realized she was starving, and not long for this world without help. Not having anything with him in the truck but a package of peanut butter crackers, he shared them with her on the way home.
“Hazel’s near-starvation in her early life is why we give her grace at mealtime. Every meal to her is worthy of celebration and excitement. So Pru, try not to snipe at Hazel when she dances and barks before every meal.”
“As for me, my first home had a grown son who loved me and spent time with me, but one day he packed his car, said goodbye to his mom and dad, and drove away. His parents really didn’t know what to do with me, so they tethered me to the porch and for what seemed like an eternity, I lived outside waiting for my friend’s return. He never came back.
“Eventually, I was taken for a car ride to Yavapai Humane Society. They were good to me there, but I became sad inside knowing my friend would never find me there.
“One day, there was a commotion outside my pen. My caretaker opened the gate and walked me outside to a man and woman. I wasn’t too keen on the man at first, but there was something about the woman. I felt her heart. I wanted to hear her voice more and look up into her eyes.
I promptly placed myself in front of her and sat looking up at her. Heart met heart, and for the first time in a long time, hope flowed like warm oil through my veins. The car ride I will always remember is the one that brought me to my new home, with my new Mom driving.”
Tucker took a deep breath and looked at Pru, who was still wide-eyed, devouring every word, and waiting patiently, (for once), for her story.
“Keira was another family’s girl and was destined to bear and raise Golden Retriever puppies for other families. Mom visited that family with her friend, who also raised Goldens. Mom saw Keira and the room she lived in, and when Mom left to drive home, she couldn’t stop thinking about that beautiful red Golden girl.
“Her friend turned to Mom and asked, ‘Do you want that girl? Let’s go back and get her.’ So they turned around and Mom’s friend cut a check and redeemed her for Mom.
“I was ever so grateful, as we here at home had raised a few Goldens for service dogs, and I missed them quite a bit. Keira was as much a gift to me as she was to Mom.
“You my dear Prudence, had a difficult and dangerous start, like Hazel. Your Mom gave birth to you in the wild and was hurt crossing the path of cars. Hurt so badly, she gave up her spirit. With your agility and speed, you kept your litter-mates in a group while dashing back and forth to try to stop a car to get help. Your efforts paid off when sensible and caring hearts stopped to help.
“Having no understanding of the two-legged world, you didn’t have a grip on how to behave on your first try with a two-legged family. That Mom got our Mom’s phone number and asked to help re-home you because you had become too much to handle.
“Dad and Mom came to pick you up with the intention of finding you another home after Dad worked with you. But we both know Dad has a heart for troubled pups. Even though Dad had sworn three four-leggeds and no more ever, you won his heart quickly—especially when you curled up against his chest and put your ear to his chest to fall asleep to the beating of his heart.
“We were pretty jealous at first about you and your conduct with Dad. Then we saw the untamed wildness fade and a true pack-sister appear. Of all our stories, you are probably the most miraculous of all.”
PRU: I love those stories Tuck. It’s a great start to the Christmas season. We should do this every year.
TUCK: Now can you leave me alone so I can catch a nap? It’s what keeps me young to deal with your hijinks.
PRU: I’m not sure that’s working for you Tuck. Just sayin’.
~ Tucker Oso, Keeper of Memories ~
