THOMAS Died - July 21,1998

Today is 21 months since he died. It still hurts very much.

I think of him every day.

THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED

THOMAS APPEARED SUDDENLY IN OUR LIVES, WITHOUT WARNING LIKE A MIRAGE, NO, MORE LIKE AN APPARITION. HE DID NOT PORTEND THE GREAT INFLUENCE HE WOULD BECOME IN MY LIFE. RECENTLY UNEMPLOYED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, I HAD NO JOB PROSPECTS, OTHER THAN ODD JOBS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. SO, A LITTLE GOOD FORTUNE WOULD HELP AND BE GRATEFULLY APPRECIATED. LITTLE DID WE KNOW THAT WHEN RETURNING TO PHOENIX FROM A WEDDING IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA, ON A SUNNY, WARM WINTER AFTERNOON, THAT OUR LIVES WERE ABOUT TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER FOR THE NEXT NINE AND A HALF YEARS. TRAVELING SOUTH ON THE BLACK CANYON FREEWAY, I-17, WE APPROACHED OUR EXIT. CHECKING THE MIRRORS AND SIGNALING I BEGAN TO VEER INTO THE EXIT LANE WHEN I SPOTTED A LARGE, BLACK FACED, RUSSET COLORED DOG ON THE ACCESS ROAD. NOW THIS IS NO MAN'S LAND AND CERTAINLY NO PLACE FOR A DOG. A CONTINUOUS FENCE KEEPS PEOPLE IN ADJOINING HOUSES SAFE FROM THE FREEWAY BUT PRECLUDES ANY ANIMAL THAT MAY STRAY ONTO THE FREEWAY FROM EXITING. HE OBVIOUSLY WAS LOST AND UNABLE TO FIND HIS WAY. OR, WAS HE MY GUARDIAN ANGEL SENT TO HELP AND SEE IF I WAS CAPABLE OF OPENING MY HEART TO HIS LOVE. HE APPEARED LIKE AN APPARITION THAT DID NOT PORTEND THE REAL INFLUENCE HE WOULD HAVE ON OUR LIVES. NOT WANTING TO PANIC HIM I SLOWED AND PULLED BEYOND THE FRIGHTENED, CONFUSED DOG. SINCE MY WIFE HAS A KINDLY DISPOSITION AND SOFT VOICE, SHE READILY ATTRACTS ALL SORTS OF CREATURES, BOTH CANINE AND HUMAN, I THOUGHT IT BEST TO LEAVE RETRIEVAL OF THIS DOG TO LINDA. SHE PROTESTED THAT MOMENTARILY, "WHAT WILL WE DO WITH ANOTHER DOG?" I INDICATED THAT WE JUST NEEDED TO REMOVE HIM TO A SAFER PLACE. LINDA WAS ELECTED SAVIOR OF THE MOMENT. SHE GOT OUT AND WENT BACK TO THE WAYWARD DOG. WATCHING FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR I COULD SEE HER EFFORTS AND CHARMS WERE NOT WORKING. NO AMOUNT OF CAJOLING WAS WORKING. SHE EVEN SOLICITED THE AID OF A FAMILY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE HAVING A BACKYARD PICNIC. THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM OR KNOW WHO HE BELONGED TO. THEY OFFERED A HOT DOG IN ORDER TO COAX HIM. THIS DID NOT AFFORD LINDA ANY BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO GET A HAND ON HIS CHOKER COLLAR, HIS ONLY MATERIAL OBJECT. THE STANDOFF CONTINUED. NEITHER DID LINDA CONVINCE HIM THAT HER INTENTIONS WERE NOT MEANT TO HARM BUT NEITHER DID HE FLEE. HE JUST KEPT A SAFE DISTANCE AND SOMEHOW AVOIDED THE FREEWAY. NOT WANTING TO PANIC HIM, I DEBATED WITH MYSELF AS TO WHAT HELP I COULD OFFER. STILL WATCHING IN THE MIRROR I NOTICED LINDA LOOK BACK TOWARD TO CAR IN A PLEADING MANNER AS HER WORDS AND ATTEMPTS FAILED TO APPREHEND THE STRAY. SHE HAD EXHAUSTED ALL IDEAS AND HE WAS ONLY MOMENTS FROM TURNING AND RUNNING INTO THE HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC, NO DOUBT. I GOT OUT AND SLOWLY PROCEEDED BACK TO THEM. AS SOFTLY AS I COULD I SAID "IT'S OK, COME HERE," AND AS I HELD OUT A HAND I SLOWLY WALKED UP TO HIM. WITHOUT A SINGLE STEP BACKWARDS HE ALLOWED ME TO TAKE HIS COLLAR. REAFFIRMING MY PLEDGE THAT WE WERE "OK" I LED HIM TO THE CAR TO LINDA'S AMAZEMENT AND RELIEF. THAT IS HOW WE MET THOMAS. HE READILY GOT IN THE REAR SEAT OF THE CAR. HE EVEN SAT THERE LIKE HE KNEW EVERYTHING WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER FOR HIMSELF. HE LOOKED ALL AROUND AND WATCHED THE NEIGHBORHOODS GO BY. WE WERE ONLY A MILE FROM HOME BUT LINDA GOT OUT A MILLION QUESTIONS AND SOME ANSWERS. WHAT ARE GOING TO DO WITH HIM? MAYBE LIZ AND PETE CAN FIND A HOME FOR HIM. MAYBE RON WOULD TAKE HIM. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RUNNING? YOU LOOK STARVED. WHEN DID YOU EAT LAST? HE IS SO THIN. WHAT'S YOUR NAME? NO TAGS OR ID ON HIS CHOKER. DOES HE BELONG TO ANYONE? DO YOU THINK WE CAN FIND HIS OWNER? HE HAS BEEN LOST FOR SOME TIME, LOOK HOW THIN HE IS. I DID NOTICE THIS FACT IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR. I COULD NOT MISS SEEING HIM. HE SAT UP STRAIGHT AND HIS LARGE, BLACK FACED FILLED THE MIRROR. THE QUESTIONS CONTINUED. WHAT KIND OF DOG IS HE? LOOKS PART GERMAN SHEPHERD WITH THE DISTINCTIVE CHEEK MOLES. THE RED COLOR ISN'T SHEPHERD. THE CHIN WHISKERS LOOK LIKE IRISH WOLF HOUND. HE IS GOING TO BE HUGE! HOW OLD DO YOU THINK HE IS? HAS HE HAD HIS SHOTS? DO YOU THINK HE WILL GIVE Tuņia A DISEASE? HE MAY BE SICK. HE MAY HAVE FLEES. HE IS SO THIN. LOOK HOW HE SITS RIGHT UP, LIKE HE OWNS THE PLACE. HE ISN'T AFRAID, NOW. WE CAN'T KEEP HIM. NOT TWO DOGS. YOU DON'T WANT TO KEEP HIM, DO YOU? LIZ AND PETE CAN HELP FIND A HOME. WE COULD RUN AN AD IN THE PAPER TO FIND HIS OWNER OR PUT SIGNS ON TELEPHONE POLES AND THE SUPER MARKETS. MAYBE PAT COULD WANT HIM. HE'S REALLY GENTLE. OH, POOR Tuņia! WHEN WE ARRIVED HOME LINDA WENT TO GET A LEASH AND BREAK THE NEWS TO Tuņia. AFTER ALL, IT HAD BEEN HER HOUSE EXCLUSIVELY FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS. LINDA NEEDED ASSURANCES FROM Tuņia THAT THIS WAS OK. IN ORDER TO ADDRESS TWO QUESTIONS, I FED AND THEN BATHED THE NEW GUEST DOG. BEING A WARM JANUARY AFTERNOON, I DID BOTH DEEDS IN THE BACK YARD. HE ATE LIKE A DOG WHO HAD NOT EATEN IN A LONG TIME. WHEN Tuņia CAME NEAR HE GROWLED AND GAVE HER A THREATENING LOOK THROUGH HIS SIGNIFICANT EYEBROWS. FEEDING TIME WAS TO BECOME HIS ONLY ASSERTIVE TIME WITH Tuņia. AND THE EYEBROWS WOULD BE A TRADEMARK OF THIS DOG FOR YEARS. EVERYONE NOTICED THEM AND AGREED HE RESEMBLED ANDY ROONEY OF 60 MINUTES. RIGHT AWAY I NOTICED HE WAS NOT SCARED OF ME OR AFRAID OF WATER FOR A BATH. HE SEEMED TO ENJOY THE BATH. TO ALLEVIATE THE FEAR HE MAY BE ILL AND GIVE SOMETHING TO Tuņia, I WOULD TAKE HIM TO THE VET ON MONDAY FOR A CHECK UP AND SHOTS. THE VET COULD PROBABLY GUESS AT HIS AGE, TOO. THE LARGE, PERMANENT TEETH LOOKED WHITE AND CLEAN AND NEW. I JUDGED HIM TO BE EIGHT MONTHS OLD. HE WAS A LARGE FRAME DOG. THE PAWS WERE BIG. HE HAD A BIG HEAD THAT HAD DROOPING EARS AT THE TIPS. HIS EYES WERE BEAUTIFUL, LARGE, CLEAR, BROWN WITH A GENTLE EXPRESSION. HIS FACE HAD A JET BLACK MUZZLE AND HE HAD LONG, CURLY, CHIN WHISKERS HALFWAY BACK ON THE LOWER JAW. THIS FEATURE WAS REMINISCENT OF THE IRISH WOLFHOUND BREED. HIS DISTINCTIVE EYEBROWS AND EYES WERE SURROUNDED IN THE SAME JET BLACK OF HIS MUZZLE, AS WERE THE EARS. HE HAD A BLACK DIAMOND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RED FOREHEAD, TOO. THE TORSO WAS ESSENTIALLY ALL A BEAUTIFUL RED COLOR. HE FLUFFED UP BEAUTIFULLY WHEN DRY FROM HIS BATH. ALTHOUGH HE HAD MODERATELY LONG HAIR ON HIS BODY AND NECK, HE SHED VERY LITTLE FROM THE BATH. HE HAD SOME WIRINESS ON HIS BACK BUT HIS FUR WAS VERY SOFT ELSEWHERE. HIS EARS WERE AS SOFT AS A POWDER PUFF. HIS MANE LOOKED LIKE A LIONS. HE HAD A SHORT, THICK TAIL BUT NOT NECESSARILY BOBBED. IT WAS ABOUT SEVEN INCHES AND COULD GO AROUND IN CIRCLES WHEN HE WANTED TO SHOW HIS PLEASURE OR WHEN AGITATED. HE HAD VERY NICE, POWERFUL LINES. LINDA AND Tuņia CAME BACK OUT TO JOIN US AFTER HIS BATH. HE RAN AROUND IN LARGE CIRCLES IN OUR SECLUDED, FENCED BACKYARD. THE BATH HAD MADE HIM FEEL BETTER, AS WELL AS THE FOOD. BUT THE GRASS WAS YIELDING LARGE DIVOTS WITH EVERY POWERFUL THRUST OF THOSE REAR PAWS. Tuņia LOOKED AND BARKED AS IF TO SAY, "STOP THIS NONSENSE IN MY YARD." LINDA SAID SHE CALLED RON BUT HE DID NOT WANT A LARGE, MALE DOG SINCE HIS PRESENT DOG, QUINCY, WAS A LARGE, MALE, FEEBLE, OLD DOG. HE THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE TROUBLE. LINDA SAID SHE CALLED LIZ AND PETE. THEY WERE NOT HOME BUT WE COULD TAKE BOTH DOGS FOR A WALK AND MAYBE THEY WOULD BE HOME BY TIME WE WALKED AROUND THE BLOCK. WE GOT AN EXTRA LEASH AND STARTED WALKING THE NEIGHBORHOOD. OBVIOUSLY HE HAD NOT BEEN LEASH TRAINED BUT HE WAS NOT INCORRIGIBLE. HE JUST TRIED TO GO WHERE HE WANTED TO INVESTIGATE SOMETHING, JUST AS HE HAD BEEN DOING FOR SOME TIME. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT LIZ AND PETE'S PLACE THEY HAD RETURNED HOME. I WAITED ON THE SIDEWALK WITH BOTH DOGS WHILE LINDA WENT TO KNOCK ON THEIR DOOR AND ADVISE THEM WE HAD Tuņia AND ANOTHER CREATURE. THEY ALL CAME OUT TO SEE OUR FIND. EVERYONE AGREED HE HAD A GOOD DISPOSITION, SEEMED HEALTHY, ALBEIT VERY THIN. THEY AGREED TO TRY TO FIND SOMEONE THAT WOULD WANT HIM. THAT EVENING WE DECIDED IT BEST THAT THE DOG SHOULD STAY OUTSIDE. WE DID NOT KNOW IF HE WAS HOUSE TRAINED. WE LEFT WATER AND ADDITIONAL DRY FOOD FOR HIM. I SAID, "GOOD NIGHT, BIG FELLOW. I WILL SEE YOU IN THE MORNING." THE NEXT MORNING HE WAS GONE. HE HAD ESCAPED FROM OUR BACKYARD, WHICH I DID NOT THINK HAD ANY OPENINGS. THIS PUZZLED ME. I SEARCHED THE PERIMETER FOR A LONG TIME AND FINALLY FOUND HOW HE GOT OUT. OUR HEDGE ROW OF OLEANDERS CONTAINED A WIRE FENCE THAT HAD BEEN WELL GROWN OVER, AROUND AND THROUGH BY THE BUSHES. HE FOUND A HOLE AND WORKED AT ENLARGING IT TO EXTRICATE HIMSELF. I FELT SORRY HE WAS GONE, SLIGHTLY HURT HE REJECTED US, BUT LINDA SAID IT MAY BE FOR THE BEST. HE OBVIOUSLY WAS USED TO BEING ON HIS OWN. BESIDES, Tuņia DID NOT LIKE HIM VERY MUCH AND WE COULD NOT KEEP HIM. BUT I MISSED HIM AND LINDA KNEW I DID. A FEW DAYS PASSED. LINDA WAS BACK TO HER MORNING ROUTINE OF WALKING Tuņia THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE MORNING BEFORE GETTING READY FOR WORK. SHE CAME BACK EXCITED AND IN A HURRY TO TELL ME SHE SPOTTED THE DOG AGAIN EATING TRASH IN AN ALLEY THREE BLOCKS AWAY. SHE CHASED HIM IN THE DIRECTION OF OUR HOUSE AND AWAY FROM THE BUSIER STREETS AROUND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. SHE DECIDED TO RETURN HOME AND ENLIST MY HELP. THE THREE OF US SET OUT TO FIND HIM. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE STREET WHERE SHE LAST SAW HIM HE WAS GONE. WE CONTINUED AHEAD LOOKING IN ALL DIRECTIONS. I WONDERED IF I SHOULD GET THE CAR TO COVER MORE AREA. THEN, THERE HE WAS AND HE SPOTTED US, TOO. NOW HE WAS WARY OF US. WE THOUGHT HAVING Tuņia ALONG MAY INDICATE TO HIM WE WERE OK. IF HE RECOGNIZED US, Tuņia DID NOT AFFORD ASSURANCE. WE FOLLOWED BUT DID NOT RUSH OR WANT TO PANIC HIM. HE WALKED INTO A YARD WITH A THREE FOOT FENCE IN THE REAR YARD. WE KNEW THE FENCE WAS THERE AND HOPED HE WOULD NOT JUMP OVER IT TO GET AWAY. HE FINALLY SAW THE FENCE AND REALIZED HE WAS CONTAINED. AGAIN, I WALKED UP TO HIM, SPOKE SOFTLY AND HE ALLOWED ME TO GRASP THE CHOKER. HE DID NOT RESIST AND HE DID NOT THINK TO JUMP THE FENCE. I SAID, "WE MISSED YOU. AREN'T YOU HUNGRY? HAVE YOU EATEN? LET'S GO BACK HOME AND I WILL FEED YOU." THAT DAY I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE VETERINARIAN'S OFFICE FOR AN EXAMINATION. WE WOULD GO TOMORROW MORNING. THAT NIGHT I CHAINED HIM IN THE BACK YARD. WE GOT IN THE TRUCK TO GO TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE FOR HIS CHECK-UP THE NEXT MORNING. HE RODE FINE IN THE TRUCK EXTENDED CAB BEHIND MY SEAT. HE HAD NO FEAR OF VEHICLES OR ME. IT ALL SEEMED PERFECTLY NATURAL TO HIM. I WONDERED WHY HE WANTED TO LEAVE THEN. GUESS IT WAS NOT LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT FOR HIM AND BONDING WOULD TAKE MORE TIME. OF COURSE, I THOUGHT, HE PROBABLY WAS ABUSED AND AT LEAST DID NOT MEET ANYONE IN HIS TRAVELS THAT DID MUCH FOR HIM. HE WENT INTO THE VET'S OFFICE WITH NO IDEA THAT MOST ANIMALS ARE AFRAID IN SUCH A PLACE. SINCE THIS WAS HIS FIRST VISIT TO Tuņia's DOCTOR, THEY INITIATED A CHART FOR HIM. "WHAT'S HIS NAME?" THE RECEPTIONIST ASKED. I EXPLAINED THAT I FOUND HIM, INTENDED TO FIND A HOME FOR HIM AND JUST NEEDED TO BE SURE HE WAS OK TO BE AROUND OUR DOG, Tuņia. SHE IMMEDIATELY WROTE, "STRAY" IN LARGE LETTERS ON THE FOLDER. I BECAME INDIGNANT AND SAID, "WE CAN NOT REFER TO HIM THAT WAY." SHE EXPLAINED THAT WAS THEIR PROCEDURE IN SUCH CASES. I SAID, "WELL, THAT WILL NOT DO IN THIS CASE! WE FOUND HIM AT THE THOMAS ROAD EXIT OF THE BLACK CANYON FREEWAY, SO WE WILL CALL HIM THOMAS!" THAT WAS THAT, THE FOLDER WAS CHANGED AND I THINK I WAS BEGINNING TO FEEL A SENSE THAT THIS FELLOW NEEDED ME FOR IDENTITY AND MORE. UNBEKNOWNST TO ME I WAS OPENING MY HEART TO MY GUARDIAN ANGEL'S LOVE. WHEN IT WAS OUR TURN FOR THE EXAMINATION, HE PROCEEDED INTO THE ROOM OBLIVIOUS TO THE SURROUNDINGS. THE ONLY THING THAT CAUGHT HIS ATTENTION AND MADE HIM WARY WAS THE OFFICE CAT WHO RESIDED ON THE COUNTER AND HAD TO BE PASSED ON THE WAY TO THE EXAMINATION ROOM. THOMAS KEPT AN EYE ON HIM WHILE I LEAD THE WAY. THE DOCTOR PROCLAIMED HIM QUITE FIT WITH A HEALTHY HEART, LUNGS, STOMACH, EYES, EARS, ETC. HE SAID THERE WERE TWO ITEMS THAT NEEDED ATTENTION EVENTUALLY. HE SHOULD BE NEUTERED AND HE HAD DEW CLAWS ON HIS HIND LEGS THAT WERE LOOSE AND PROJECTED OUTWARD FROM HIS LEGS AT 90 DEGREE ANGLES, LIKE A HITCH HIKER'S THUMB. THE DOCTOR INDICATED THEY COULD CATCH ON SOMETHING, TEAR OFF AND CAUSE SEVERE BLEEDING. THE DOCTOR COMMENTED THAT HIS TAIL HAD BEEN BOBBED OR CUT BUT NOT PROFESSIONALLY. HE SAID IT WOULD NOT CAUSE A PROBLEM BUT I WONDERED HOW IT HAPPENED AND IF IT WAS ANOTHER PAINFUL EXPERIENCE FOR THIS GENTLE CREATURE. I INDICATED THAT I WOULD PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO THE PEOPLE THAT EVENTUALLY WOULD OWN HIM. HE WEIGHED 48 POUNDS, A POUND LESS THAN Tuņia, BUT AT LEAST HE WAS HEALTHY. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME I CALLED LINDA AT WORK TO TELL HER ABOUT THE VISIT TO THE VET. I TOLD HER HE HAD A NAME NOW BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO CALL HIM "STRAY." LINDA'S TONE LEAD ME TO BELIEVE SHE WAS CONCERNED I WAS GETTING ATTACHED. I INDICATED I WAS STILL PLANNING AND WILLING TO FIND HIM A GOOD HOME. I ADVISED A NEIGHBOR ABOUT THOMAS. SHE WAS HOME DURING THE DAY AND SHOULD SHE SEE OR HEAR A STRANGE DOG IN OUR YARD, I WANTED HER TO KNOW THE SITUATION. I GAVE HER A PHONE NUMBER WHERE I WOULD BE WORKING, PAINTING MY SISTER'S CONDOMINIUM. HE DID NOT LIKE TO BE CHAINED WHEN I LEFT BUT I PROVIDED SHADE AND WATER FOR HIM. HE MADE NOISE AND THE NEIGHBOR CALLED ME. I RETURNED TO CHECK AND FOUND HIM VERY HAPPY TO SEE ME. I DECIDED TO TAKE A CHANCE THAT HE WOULD NOT RUN AWAY IF I LEFT FOOD FOR HIM. I WENT BACK TO WORK BUT RECEIVED ANOTHER CALL VERY SOON AFTER ARRIVING FROM MY NEIGHBOR. THIS TIME SHE SAW HIM LEAP OVER OUR SIX FOOT GATE. I RUSHED BACK IN A PANIC THINKING HE WOULD BE LOST OR GONE AGAIN BUT TO MY SURPRISE, HE WAS WAITING FOR ME IN THE CARPORT. HE HAD NO RESTRICTION AND COULD HAVE LEFT BUT JUST LAID IN THE SHADE OF THE CARPORT LOOKING FOR ME. HE WAS AS HAPPY TO SEE ME AS I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE HIM. I WAS HAPPY, TOO. SO, I RETURNED TO WORK WITH THOMAS AND STARTED A LIFE LONG COMPANIONSHIP. I NEARLY MADE A FATAL ERROR OF JUDGEMENT. SINCE HE WANTED TO BE WITH ME I EXPECTED HE WOULD ALSO LISTEN TO ME. I PARKED THE TRUCK AND THE TWO OF US MEANDERED THROUGH MY SISTER'S CONDO COMPLEX TOWARD HER UNIT. APPROACHING HER CONDO I TURNED ONTO HER SIDEWALK NEXT TO BUSY 19TH AVENUE. THOMAS CONTINUED STRAIGHT AHEAD, IGNORED MY FRANTIC CALLS, AND STEPPED OFF THE CURB RIGHT INTO TRAFFIC. THANKFULLY AN ONCOMING CAR LOCKED THE BREAKS AND SOUNDED THE HORN. THOMAS STOPPED AND THE CAR STOPPED JUST INCHES SHORT OF HITTING HIM. I RUSHED TO GRAB his CHOKER, SIGNALED THANKS TO THE DRIVER AND LEAD HIM TO THE HOUSE. I DID NOT RECOVER FOR QUITE SOME TIME. AGAIN, WE WERE BOTH LUCKY AND NOW I KNEW HE NEEDED OBEDIENCE TRAINING. I WOULD HAVE TO MENTION THIS TO LINDA. FROM NOW ON HE WOULD BE ON THE LEASH UNTIL I knew HE UNDERSTOOD SOME BASIC COMMANDS. AFTER TWO WEEKS WITH US, LINDA TOLD ME SHE HAD SOMEONE WHO WANTED THOMAS. WITHOUT HESITATION I STATED THAT WE WERE GOING TO KEEP HIM. LINDA WAS SHOCKED AND QUESTIONED MY JUDGEMENT. I SIMPLY STATED SHE HAD Tuņia AND THOMAS WOULD BE MINE. I WANTED A DOG. THERE WAS NO DOUBT, I LOVED THIS DOG BY NOW. THOMAS WAS NEARLY MUTE FOR ABOUT THE FIRST MONTH. Tuņia WAS THE VOCAL ONE WHEN SOMEONE CAME TO THE DOOR. THOMAS BARKED WHEN PLAYING, SO I KNEW HE WAS CAPABLE OF BARKING, BUT HE WAS NOT ASSERTIVE OR PROTECTIVE YET. THE ONLY TIME HE SHOWED SIGNS OF BEING THE ALPHA DOG WAS AT FEEDING TIME. HE WOULD FOLLOW ME OR LINDA, DEPENDING ON WHO PREPARED THEIR MEALS, INTO THE PANTRY AND OBSERVE THE AMOUNT PLACED IN EACH BOWL. IF Tuņia CAME NEAR SHE WAS GROWLED AT AND BACKED OFF. ON ONE OCCASION I REMEMBER A SCUFFLE AND SHE NEVER CALLED HIS BLUFF AGAIN WHEN IT CAME TO FOOD. IN ALL OTHER MATTERS SHE ALWAYS WAS SENIOR MUTT WHICH I BELIEVE HE DEFERRED TO HER. IN ADDITION TO HIS MOST INTIMIDATING BARK HE HAD A COMICAL WOO-WOO-WOO FOR US. HE LOVED TO TALK BACK TO LINDA, ME AND MY MOTHER IF SCOLDED FOR BEING ON THE BED OR SOME OTHER MISCHIEF HE HAD GOTTEN INTO. THIS WAS PART OF THOMAS' PERSONALITY AND HE KNEW HE WAS BEING CUTE, SHOWING OFF AND JOKING WITH US. ANOTHER BARK HE POSSESSED WAS ONE OF ADMONISHMENT TO VOICE HIS OPINION IF HE THOUGHT WE WERE WRONG. HE HAD SEVERAL BARKS AND QUITE THE VOCABULARY. HE KNEW JUST WHEN THE APPROPRIATE TIME WAS FOR EACH TO BE USED. AS FAR AS PROTECTING US AND OUR PROPERTY, HE SOON BECAME THE INTIMIDATOR HE WAS THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE. HIS LOUD AND DEEP BARK ALWAYS GOT PEOPLE'S ATTENTION. IF HE WAS IN THE CAR OR TRUCK AND BARKED AT SOMEONE ON THE STREET OR IN ANOTHER CAR, THEY STOPPED AND LOOKED. THOMAS LOVED TO LAY IN THE FOYER IN OUR PHOENIX HOUSE WITH THE INSIDE DOOR OPEN. HE WOULD WATCH THOUGH THE SECURITY DOOR AND SINCE IT HAD A MESH THAT OBSCURED VISION FROM THE OUTSIDE, HE COULD SURPRISE ANYONE COMING UP TO THE DOOR OR WALKING PAST. ONE HALLOWEEN HE SCARED THE LIFE OUT OF A YOUNGSTER THAT CAME EARLY FOR TRICK-OR-TREAT BEFORE LINDA WAS PREPARED BY PUTTING THOMAS IN A BACK ROOM. THOMAS SAW HIM APPROACH THE DOOR BUT WAITED UNTIL HE REACHED FOR THE DOORBELL SWITCH. WHEN HE LET LOOSE HIS ROAR, THE POOR KID FELL BACKWARDS OFF THE PORCH IN TEARS. HIS LIFE MUST HAVE FLASHED BEFORE HIS EYES. PEOPLE THAT MET THOMAS THOUGHT HE ACCEPTED THEM WERE SURPRISED TO FIND HE WANTED THEM TO FORMALLY BE ACCEPTED INTO OUR HOUSE EACH TIME THEY CAME OVER. ON ONE SUCH OCCASION FRIENDS CAME OVER, THEIR YOUNG DAUGHTER, WHO KNEW AND PLAYED WITH THOMAS ON A PREVIOUS VISIT, JUST CAME IN THE HOUSE AFTER RINGING THE BELL. THOMAS RAN PAST HER BARKING TO SEE WHO WAS AT THE DOOR RINGING THE CHIMES. THE GIRL SCREAMED, STEPPED ASIDE, AND FROZE IN A TERRIFIED AND PANICKED STATE. HE PROBABLY SAW HER AND ACKNOWLEDGED HER TO BE A FRIEND BUT PROCEEDED TO THE DOOR FOR THE REAL INTRUDER. ON A SIMILAR OCCASION MY SISTER, BEFORE SHE BECAME A DOG PERSON, MADE THE MISTAKE OF ENTERING WITHOUT PERMISSION. SHE RANG THE DOORBELL AND CAME IN THE HOUSE. THOMAS RAN FROM THE KITCHEN THROUGH THE DINING ROOM. HIS FAVORITE PATH WAS STRAIGHT THROUGH, UNDER THE DINING ROOM TABLE. HIS COLLAR OR TAGS CAUGHT THE LACE TABLECLOTH AND PULLED IT CLEANLY OFF THE TABLE. MOST ITEMS ON THE TABLE WERE BARELY DISTURBED. THE ONLY THING THAT BROKE WAS A CANDLE IN A HOLDER THAT FELL. MY SISTER STOPPED COLD UNTIL LINDA RAN OUT TO INVESTIGATE. THOMAS, WITH LACE TABLECLOTH IN-TOW, WAS STANDING GUARD. STILL ANOTHER TIME MY SISTER RANG BUT WAITED FOR LINDA TO LET HER IN. THOMAS WAS IN OBEDIENCE TRAINING THEN AND WAS TETHERED BY HIS LEASH TO LINDA'S WAIST. IT WAS SUPPOSE TO MAKE HIM SUBSERVIENT TO HER AS HE FOLLOWED HE AROUND IN HER ROUTINE. HE AGAIN ATTEMPTED THE EXPEDITIOUS ROUTE UNDER THE DINING ROOM TABLE. LINDA HALTED HIS PROGRESS AS SHE WAS IMPALED ACROSS THE TABLE. THIS ACCOUNTED FOR BRUISES SHE OFTEN GOT AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THOMAS IN THOSE EARLY AND FORMATIVE YEARS. THEY WERE EVEN NOTICED AND QUESTIONED BY A NURSE WHERE LINDA WORKED. SHE WAS HAVING HER BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED ON AN UNUSUALLY STRESSFUL DAY. THE NURSE INQUIRED IF SOMEONE AT HOME WAS ABUSING HER. LINDA AT FIRST THOUGHT SHE WAS JOKING BUT SOON REALIZED SHE WAS NOT AND EXPLAINED ABOUT HER NEW DOG. THE NURSE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF DOG IT WAS AND LINDA REPLIED HE WAS PART IRISH WOLF HOUND. HE WAS DEVOTED TO PROTECTING US. HE WAS WHAT I SOUGHT SINCE SOMEONE TRIED TO GET INTO OUR HOUSE A YEAR BEFORE WE FOUND HIM. Tuņia WAS UTTERLY SHOOK UP WHEN THAT INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE PERSON NEARLY GOT INTO THE HOUSE BUT A STICKY LATCH, WHICH I NEGLECTED TO TEND TO SLOWED THE WOULD-BE PERPETRATOR ENOUGH TO MAKE HIM NERVOUS ABOUT HOW LONG THE BREAKING AND ENTRY WAS TAKING. WHEN I GOT HOME, Tuņia WAS VERY FRIGHTENED. THAT INCIDENT PUT THE NEED FOR ANOTHER DOG IN THE BACK OF MY MIND. THOMAS WAS A PERFECT SOLUTION AND COMPANION FOR Tuņia AND US. COME GROW OLD WITH ME, THE BEST IS YET TO BE. QUOTATION FROM THE TELEVISION SERIES, ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL. BASED ON THE BOOKS OF BRITISH VETERINARIAN AND AUTHOR, JAMES HORRIETT. WORDS THOMAS KNEW AND SOME WHICH HE COULD SPELL SOME PEOPLE ERRONEOUSLY THOUGHT THOMAS WAS NOT SUCH A SMART DOG, PERHAPS BECAUSE HE WAS SO EXUBERANT. WHEN THOMAS FIRST CAME TO US HE WAS DEFINITELY LACKING FORMAL TRAINING AND SKILLS. HE HAD NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY TEACHING. HE LEARNED QUICKLY FROM Tuņia AND OUR ATTEMPTED TRAINING. AS TIME PASSED IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT HE UNDERSTOOD A LARGE NUMBER OF WORDS. NOT ONLY DID HE KNOW THE WORD BUT HE UNDERSTOOD WHEN WE REVERTED TO SPELLING KEY WORDS. WHEN WE WERE PLANNING TO TAKE THE DOGS TO THE PARK WE KNEW NOT TO MENTION THE WORDS: PARK, TRUCK, CAR, RIDE, WALK, OR GO. IF WE DID SAY SUCH A KEY WORD HE WOULD BE TOO EXCITED TO FINISH EATING, TAKE HIS MEDICINE, OR TO GO OUT IN THE YARD TO RELIEVE HIMSELF, WHICH WE PREFERRED THEY DID AT HOME. IF WE WERE NOT READY YET, HE WOULD BE SO EXCITED HE DID NOT GIVE US A MOMENTS PEACE UNTIL WE MADE GOOD WITH THE PROMISED WORD. HE WOULD RUN BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN US AND WITH PLEADING EYES BECKON US TO HURRY. IF Tuņia WAS IN THE WAY AND SHE GOT BUMPED, THEN AN ALTERCATION WOULD ENSUE. HIS UNDERSTANDING BECAME SO ACUTE THAT THE "T" IN TRUCK OR THE "W" IN WALK WERE READILY IDENTIFIED WITH THE FULL WORD. WE RESORTED TO SYNONYMS LIKE STROLL AND VEHICLE. HIS RESPONSE TO A KNOWN WORD WAS ALWAYS AN UNMISTAKABLE SNAP OF THE HEAD AND WIDE, HOPEFUL EYES PEERING DIRECTLY INTO OUR EYES. OTHER WORDS THOMAS WAS MORE THAN CASUALLY FAMILIAR WITH INCLUDED: ICE CREAM, CHOCOLATE, WATER MELON, CANTALOUPE, EAT, COOKIE, ACORN (A FAVORITE SNACK), TOOTH PASTE, TREAT, APPLE, CHEESE, CHEEZ-IT, CRACKERS, YOGURT, BLUEBERRIES, RASPBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES (WILD ONES FROM OUR YARD, YUM), CANDY, M&M's, LEASH, BONE, RAWHIDE, STICK, SQUIRREL (INCLUDING SQ), BIRD, BIRDIES, WATER, SWIM, MOM, LINDA, PAPA, NANNY, RON, CWIP (A DOG FRIEND), WAIT, KISS, DADDY HELP (NEAR THE END), AND EVEN Tuņia. TOM HAD A FAVORITE BASEBALL PLAYER, TOO. AS WE WATCHED THE 1993 PHILLIES IN THE PLAYOFFS AND WORLD SERIES, WE NOTICED HOW KEENLY AWARE TOM WAS WHEN WE MENTIONED JOHN KRUK. HE WHIPPED HIS HEAD AROUND AT THE MENTION OF KRUK. WE ASKED HIM IF JOHN KRUK WAS HIS FAVORITE PLAYER AND HE COCKED HIS HEAD TO ONE SIDE, THEN THE OTHER, WITH VERY WIDE EYES, SO WE KNOW KRUK HAD A FAN IN THOMAS AND VERY FITTING AT THAT. THOMAS HAD THAT MOUNTAIN-MAN APPEAL. KRUK WAS THE TYPE THAT WOULD HAVE A THOMAS-TYPE DOG IN HIS TRUCK, TOO. WE KNEW TOM'S CONNECTION WITH KRUK WAS THE SIMILAR SOUND OF HIS NAME, TOM'S FAVORITE CONVEYANCE. SUCH A VOCABULARY IS NOT THAT OF AN ILLITERATE. IT ALSO REPRESENTS AN CERTAIN ZEST FOR LIFE AND THE FINER, IF SIMPLER, THINGS IT OFFERS. Unusual Likes Thomas Had Some of Thomas's likes unusual likes may have started from a penchant to please but they lasted far longer than obedience would require. Thus, it must be assumed that Thomas had a genuine appeal for licking egg shells clean and if they went down in the act, no problem for Tom. Tooth paste was initiated by Linda in order to clean their teeth with a doggie finger-tooth brush. Tunia was familiar with tooth paste and even came around for a lick when Linda was brushing her own teeth. When Thomas was introduced to tooth paste it became an immediate favorite. He learned Linda's morning routine and was always present in the morning for brushing. In the evening, as long as the day had not been too tiring, he would show up for a lick. Linda learn well to dutifully crouch down for Thomas's sake. With her arm around Tom, mother and son practiced oral hygiene. Dog soap was something Tom got used to right away. He received a bath from me the first day we met. He received a bathe from me just days before the end. There were numerous baths in between and he was always a willing subject. It was not without benefit for Tom, too. He loved soap, dog soap or body soap, i.e., DIAL, etc. He had to have the cleanest insides with ll the soap he licked in his lifetime. When he was getting bathed, he was constantly licking himself. If we were in a shower that he could access, in came his head to beg for a lathered-up leg to lick soap off. The previously mentioned likes for fruit and vegetables do not seem out of the ordinary. They certainly were not out of character for Thomas. For a dog that was on the street and hungry, the memory never fades. The searching of trash is never forgotten. We were reminded often that this was part of Thomas's past. If the trash was left out it was usually over turned and rummaged through for valuable tidbits that we were silly to overlook their value and threw away. THEY THOUGHT THEY KILLED ME ONE EVENING I WAS AT MY SISTER'S HOUSE WITH THE DOGS. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE FORGOTTEN WHY I WAS THERE BUT THEY WERE PROBABLY OUT OF TOWN AND I WENT TO CHECK THEIR HOUSE. ON SUCH A SIMPLE AND CLOSE ERRAND, THE DOGS WERE SURE TO ACCOMPANY ME. AFTER COMPLETING THE TASK AND LOCKING THE DOOR WE WENT OUT THE GATE TO GO HOME. SINCE THE DOGS WERE GOOD ABOUT MINDING, THEY WERE STILL OFF THEIR LEASHES. THERE WAS NOT A MAJOR STREET TO BE CROSSED AND NO NEIGHBORS WERE PRESENT. AS I WALKED FROM THE GATE IN THE CARPORT THE DOGS BEGAN RUNNING SIDE BY SIDE, AS THEY SENSED THE SEROUS TASK WAS OVER. THIS FROLICKING INCLUDED PRANCING, BARKING, SNAPPING, NECK BITING AND SNARLING AT EACH OTHER. THIS COMMON OCCURRENCE WAS NEVER AS BAD AS IT SOUNDED. IN FACT IT WAS JUST DOG PLAY AND A WAY THEY ENJOYED EACH OTHER'S COMPANY. THEY HAD RUN OUT OF THE CARPORT AND TURNED AT THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE INTO THE FRONT YARD. JUST AS I CLEARED THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE THEY RETURNED IN MY DIRECTION - AT FULL SPEED. I EITHER DID NOT SEE THEM IN TIME OR DID NOT HAVE TIME TO REACT AND GET OUT OF THEIR WAY. AS WITH ANY ACCIDENT IT ALL HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO REACT. THEY WERE CONSUMED IN PLAY AND RAN BLINDLY. BY THE LIGHTNING BOLT-FEEL OF THE COLLISION, IT MUST HAVE BEEN THOMAS THAT RAN INTO ME. MY FEET CAME OUT FROM UNDER MY BODY FROM THE PERFECTLY EXECUTED CROSS BODY BLOCK. FOR A SPLIT SECOND I WAS AIRBORNE AND PARALLEL TO THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN I HIT THE CONCRETE DRIVE WITH MY BACK, THE AIR WAS KNOCKED FROM MY LUNGS. THAT IN ITSELF IS A HORRIBLE FEELING THAT MAKES YOUR LIFE FLASH BEFORE YOUR EYES. WORSE THAN THAT WAS WHEN MY HEAD HIT THE DRIVEWAY, TOO. IF I WAS NOT COMPLETELY KNOCKED OUT COLD, I WAS AT LEAST DAZED. THIS DID NOT HELP ME TO RECOVER MY BREATH. IT MUST HAVE BEEN A CLOSE CALL FOR ENDING MY LIFE. THE DOGS CERTAINLY THOUGHT I WAS DEAD. THEY DID NOT BOTHER TO CHECK AND WERE CERTAIN THAT THEY WERE IN BIG TROUBLE, SO THEY RAN THE ONE BLOCK TO THEIR HOME AND WAITED IN FEAR. IT TOOK SOME TIME BUT I RESUMED BREATHING AND UNSCRAMBLED MY BRAIN EVENTUALLY. THEY WERE CORRECT IN ASSUMING THAT I WOULD BE MAD IF NOT DEAD. I GOT UP AND MUST HAVE HAD A BUG-EYED LOOK FOR HOW MAD I FELT, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DID BUT THAT THEY RAN OFF LIKE SHELL-SHOCKED COWARDS. I WAS LIVID AND STAGGERING ONE BLOCK HOME WAS NOT ENOUGH TO CALM ME. AT LEAST I RANG THE DOORBELL FIRST WHEN I CAME ON THE PORCH WITH THE TREMBLING, COWERING DOGS. LUCKILY I ONLY WHACKED EACH DOG ON THE BACKSIDE ONCE BEFORE LINDA CAME TO THE DOOR. SHE WONDERED WHY I RANG THE BELL RATHER THAN JUST ENTER THE HOUSE. I RELATED THE INCIDENT TO HER. THERE WERE NO TREATS FOR THE DOGS FOR ACCOMPANYING ME ON THAT TRIP. SWIMMING & WATER RELATED STORIES WITH THOMAS WET BEAVER CREEK TO THINK THOMAS WOULD LOVE WATER AS MUCH AS ANYTHING IN HIS LIFE WAS NOT EVIDENT THE FIRST TIME HE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE MOST ABUNDANT MOLECULE ON EARTH. IT WAS NOT LONG AFTER WE CLAIMED HIM AS PART OF OUR FAMILY THAT WE DECIDED A SPRING-TIME HIKE IN ARIZONA'S VERDE VALLEY WOULD BE GOOD FOR ALL. IT WAS A SERENE PLACE WITH THE STRIKING CONTRASTS OF RED ROCK AND VERDANT JUNIPER, OF ARID HIGH COUNTRY AND A WONDERFUL TRIBUTARY OF THE VERDE RIVER, AN OASIS CALLED WET BEAVER CREEK. FEW PEOPLE VENTURED THERE SO IT WAS IDEAL AS A PLACE TO LET DOGS RUN, AS LONG AS THEY CAME WHEN CALLED. THOMAS WAS DOING GOOD ABOUT LISTENING TO COMMANDS BY THIS TIME. THE FIVE MILE HIKE WOULD BE A GOOD CHECK OF THOMAS' ENDURANCE AND REACTION TO WATER. THE TRAIL HEAD IS AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF RIDE FROM PHOENIX. WHEN WE ARRIVED THE DOGS, THOMAS AND Tuņia, WERE READY TO ROMP. THEY BURST OUT OF THE TRUCK CAMPER SHELL AND BEGAN CHECKING THE PARKING LOT AREA WITH THEIR HIGHLY TUNED NOSES. LINDA HAD EACH DOG OUTFITTED WITH A BANDANA THAT MATCHES THE COLOR OF THEIR COLLARS, BLUE FOR THOMAS AND RED FOR Tuņia. WE DID NOT HIKE MORE THAN HALF A MILE WHEN Tuņia SPOTTED THE CREEK 50 YARDS BELOW THE TRAIL AND HEADED DOWN THE EMBANKMENT FOR A DIP. LINDA, THOMAS AND I FOLLOWED THROUGH BRUSH AND LARGE COTTONWOOD TREES TO THE EDGE OF THE CREEK. Tuņia WADED AND DRANK. IN A FEW MINUTES SHE JOINED US AND SHOOK OFF, AS IF TO SHOW THOMAS WHAT HE WAS MISSING. HE LOOKED VERY CURIOUS BUT PERPLEXED AT THE THOUGHT OF GOING IN THE WATER. HE WAS DEFINITELY AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO. WE COAXED HIM TO GO IN THE WATER BY THROWING A STICK BUT HE WAS NOT READY. SO, WE HEADED UP THE CANYON AGAIN. THE TRAIL MEANDERS ALONG THE CREEK THROUGH JUNIPER, SAGE, MORMON TEA AND THE LIKE. IN SPRING WILD FLOWERS ARE PRESENT. DUE TO THE ARID CONDITIONS THEY ARE NOT PROLIFIC, SO WHEN ONE IS SPOTTED IT DRAWS COMMENTS AND A PHOTOGRAPH. IN ADDITION TO THE RED COCONINO SANDSTONE ROCK, THERE ARE SIGNS OF VOLCANIC BASALT IN AN UPPER LAYER. ON ONE SUCH ROCK THAT ROLLED DOWN TO THE TRAIL EDGE, ANCIENT INDIAN PICTOGRAPHS AND TRI-COLORED LICHEN ARE PRESENT. ALTHOUGH THE DOGS ARE NOT IMPRESSED IT IS ALWAYS A MUST-SEE FOR US. THE DOGS ARE FAR TOO BUSY SMELLING ANIMAL BURROWS, CLUMPS OF CHAPARRAL GRASS, AND THE OCCASIONAL SCAT OR COW DUNG. THIS IS ALL VERY TIRING AND THIRSTY WORK AND REQUIRES AN OCCASIONAL REST STOP. TREATS FOR US INCLUDE FIG NEWTONS, GORP (HOME MADE TRAIL MIX OF PEANUTS, M&M's, AND RAISINS), WATER AND AN APPLE OR ORANGE. DOG TREATS INCLUDE THE SAME, LESS THE CITRUS FRUIT, AND MILK BONES. CONTINUING ON WE COME TO THE FORK IN THE TRAIL FOR THE BELL TRAIL ABOVE OR THE SQUAW MAIDEN TRAIL BELOW. WE CHOOSE THE BELL TRAIL BECAUSE IT IS THE MOST EXPEDITIOUS WAY TO GET TO A CREEK CROSSING OF THE SAME NAME, WHICH IS OUR DESTINATION. THE LOWER TRAIL IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS COTTONWOOD TREES AND BOULDERS ALONG THE CREEK BED. FINALLY WE REACHED THE CROSSING. WE SAT IN A FAVORITE PLACE WITH VIEWS UP AND DOWN THE CREEK. AFTER SHARING A SANDWICH WITH THE DOGS I WENT TO A SANDSTONE ROCK OVERHANG THAT IS 30-40 FEET ABOVE THE WATER. FROM THERE YOU CAN LOOK DOWN INTO THE WATER WHERE IT POOLS CALMLY SO THAT THE BOTTOM IS CLEARLY VISIBLE THROUGH 15 FEET OF WATER. LINDA TOOK A PICTURE OF ME THERE. THOMAS WAS GETTING NERVOUS AND BARKING AT ME FOR LEAVING HIM BEHIND. WHEN I RETURNED TO THEM, Tuņia DECIDED TO HEAD INTO THE WATER DOWNSTREAM FROM WHERE WE WERE. THE CREEK IS 50 FEET WIDE AND HAS SEVERAL LARGE, WATER-WORN, ROUND ROCKS IN THIS AREA. THE WATER PERCOLATES OVER AND AROUND THE OBSTACLES AND MAKES POOLS A FEW FEET DEEP IN AREAS. THOMAS' CURIOSITY COULD NOT BE CONTAINED ANY LONGER AND HE ALSO VENTURED INTO THE CREEK. TO OUR DELIGHT HE GOT OVER HIS FEAR AND BEGAN TO ENJOY HIMSELF IMMEDIATELY. HE BOUNCED FROM POOL TO POOL. HE SWAM, RAN AND SPLASHED IN ONE DIRECTION, THEN ANOTHER. HE SHOOK OFF, STOPPED TO LOOK FOR US AND MAKE SURE HE HAD NOT BEEN ABANDONED AND TO SHOW US HE WAS THOROUGHLY HAPPY. HIS WILD-EYED LOOK REVEALED HIS DELIGHT. HE EVEN PLUNGED HIS HEAD INTO THE CREEK, FOR WHAT REASON, WHO KNOWS. HE DRANK, RAN, SWAM AND SPLASHED SOME MORE. AS HE RAN NEAR ME, ALSO WADING IN THE CREEK, LINDA TOOK A ROLL OF FILM OF THE EVENTS. THOMAS PROVED TO BE A POWERFUL SWIMMER AND SHOWED MUCH ENTHUSIASM AS USUAL. Tuņia, ON THE OTHER HAND, WAS A COMPETENT SWIMMER BUT MORE RESTRAINED. SHE PACED HERSELF SWIMMING AS SHE DID HIKING. AFTER PERHAPS AN HOUR HE WAS EXHAUSTED BUT COOLED OFF. WE DECIDED TO START HIKING BACK WHILE HE WAS WET AND COOL. WHEN HE SHOWED SIGNS OF LABORING AND HAD TROUBLE KEEPING UP, WE CHECKED HIS FEET AND FOUND THEY WERE RAW. THE POOR FELLOW HAD SOFTENED HIS PADS AND ABRADED THEM ON THE SANDY TRAIL. HE HAD TO WALK AND SO WE SLOWED UP FOR HIM. THAT COURAGEOUS DOG MADE IT BACK TO THE TRUCK ALL BUT THE LAST 200 YARDS OF THE 2 1/2 MILE TRAIL. I FINALLY CARRIED HIM MUCH TO HIS RELIEF. THE FEET HEALED AND THE RESULTANT EXPERIENCE DID NOT DETER THOMAS FROM LOVING THIS NEWLY FOUND PLEASURE. AFTER THIS HIKE WE TOOK PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT TOM'S FEET, NOT JUST WHEN WET, BUT ON WALKS AND HIKES. HE SEEMED TO HAVE DELICATE FEET SO WE PURCHASED DOG BOOTS IN A HUNTING STORE IN GRAND JUNCTION, TENNESSEE. INITIALLY HE PRANCED WITH THEM ON LIKE A HIGH-STEPPING HORSE BUT LEARNED TO USE THEM IN STRIDE. TO US WE FONDLY THINK OF WET BEAVER CREEK AS THE PLACE WHERE THOMAS LEARNED THAT WATER WAS FOR MORE THAN DRINKING OR BATHING. HE NEVER LIKED BEING HOT, WHICH WAS IRONIC SINCE HE WAS FOUND IN PHOENIX. IT MADE US BELIEVE HE DID NOT ORIGINATE IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN. HE LEARNED GETTING INTO WATER WAS WONDERFUL FOR RELIEF FROM A HOT DAY OR HIKE. TOM IN LAKE ON MINGUS MOUNTAIN IN THE SPRING OF 1992 WE WERE LOOKING FOR A RECREATIONAL AREA CLOSER TO PHOENIX THAN THE AREA ABOVE FLAGSTAFF THAT WE NORMALLY FREQUENTED. HOPEFULLY WE COULD FIND A PLACE THAT STILL AFFORDED COOLER TEMPERATURES WITHOUT CROWDED CONDITIONS. WE WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE PRESCOTT AREA AND HAD CAMPED THERE YEARS BEFORE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN. THE GRANITE DELLS AREA IS BEAUTIFUL AND EVEN HAS A LAKE BUT YEARS OF DRAUGHT OR OVER USE HAD LOWERED THE LEVEL LEAVING A STAGNATE REMNANT. QUITE BY ACCIDENT IN PASSING WE LOCATED WHITE SPAR CAMP GROUND ON THE WEST SIDE AND ENJOYED SEVERAL VISITS THERE. IT WAS CLOSE TO TOWN SO THAT WE COULD VENTURE INTO TOWN AFTER DINNER AT OUR SITE AND VISIT BASKIN-ROBINS FOR ICE CREAM ALL AROUND. WITH THE TRUCK BACKED UP TO THE STORE FRONT AND THE CAMPER SHELL WINDOW OPEN, THE DOGS HAD A CLOSE VIEW OF WHERE WE WERE AND WHAT WAS COMING. THEY KNEW WITHOUT A DOUBT BECAUSE THE LONG, PEARL-LIKE STRANDS OF DROOL WOULD HANG FROM EACH DOG'S SALIVATING MOUTH. WHEN THE ICE CREAM CAME Tuņia WAS ALWAYS THE PATIENT ICE CREAM EATER, THUS IT LASTED LONGER AND WAS MORE ENJOYABLE FOR HER. SHE DELICATELY LICKED WHILE GOOBER TRIED TO DOWN THE ENTIRE SCOOP IN ONE GULP. IF WE WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN RESTRAINING HIM, HIS WOULD BE GONE IN A FLASH AND THEN HE WOULD GIVE THE PLEADING LOOK TO US FOR OUR'S OR Tuņia's. AFTER EATING THE ICE CREAM WE WOULD PUT THE KIDS ON THE LEASHES AND STROLL THE QUAINT, VICTORIAN STREETS OF PRESCOTT OR SIT IN THE SHADE OF THE TOWN SQUARE AT A PICNIC TABLE TO PLAY A ROUND OF CRIBBAGE WITH THE KIDS RESTING AT OUR FEET. ONE DAY WE DROVE OVER MINGUS MOUNTAIN TO JEROME, A FORMER MINING TOWN. JEROME BECAME A GHOST TOWN AND IN RECENT YEARS WAS RESURRECTED AS AN ARTS AND CRAFTS CENTER. ON OUR WAY OVER MINGUS MT. WE NOTICED A SIGN FOR A CAMPING AREA NEAR THE CREST ON ROUTE 89, ALTERNATE. NEVER HAVING NOTICED IT BEFORE, WE TURNED OFF THE MAIN ROAD TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS THERE. THE DIRT ROAD SWITCHED BACK AND FORTH WHILE MAKING A DUSTY CLIMB TOWARD THE SUMMIT AT ABOUT 8,000 FEET OF ELEVATION. WE PASSED A PRIVATE CHURCH RETREAT AREA AND FOLLOWED A SIGN TO A STATE CAMP GROUND. AT THE CAMP GROUND ENTRANCE WAS A BEAUTIFUL, PRISTINE LAKE. THE OVAL SHAPED LAKE WAS ABOUT 200 YARDS WIDE AND 150 YARDS ACROSS, WITH SHALLOW LOOKING EDGES CONTAINING AQUATIC PLANTS AROUND MOST OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE. PONDEROSA PINE TREES FRAMED THE SIDES AND BACKGROUND, INCLUDING ONE PINE LOG LAYING IN THE LAKE FOREGROUND. THE ALPINE LAKE WAS BEAUTIFUL FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND INVITING FOR THE DOGS. WITHOUT HESITATION THEY WALKED IN THE WATER TO DRINK AND SPLASH. WE WALKED THE PERIMETER WITH THE DOGS FOLLOWING IN THE WATER AND ALONG THE ROCKY, TREE COVERED SHORE. THE LAKE WAS FORMED IN A BOWL SHAPED DEPRESSION BY RUN OFF FROM THE SURROUNDING ACREAGE. IT DID NOT SEEM TO BE SPRING FED. MINGUS IS VOLCANIC IN ORIGIN AND THIS AREA HAS AN IMPERVIOUS BASALT LAYER TO ENABLE WATER RETENTION. ROCKS JUTTING UP FROM THE THICK PINE NEEDLE GROUND COVER WERE A PATCHWORK OF TRICOLOR LICHEN OF LIME GREEN, RUSSET, AND ORANGE. THE LUSH LAKE SHORE WAS COVERED WITH A VARIETY OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS LIKE INDIAN PAINT BRUSH, PENSTIMON, FERNS AND CHAPARRAL GRASS. THOMAS ENJOYED A CAREFREE SWIM TO THE CENTER AS Tuņia RETRIEVED A STICK I THREW. TOM'S INTEREST WAS CENTERED AROUND BARKING, GULPING LAKE WATER, AND DISTANCE SWIMMING FOR EXERCISE. AFTER THE REFRESHING SWIM WAS OVER AND EVERYONE WAS BACK IN THE TRUCK, WE DROVE THE REMAINING FEW HUNDRED YARDS TO THE CAMP SITES. WE CHECKED WITH THE CAMP GROUND HOSTS REGARDING RESTRICTIONS AND GENERAL AVAILABILITY. WITH THE DOGS ON THE LEASHES WE WALKED THE TRAIL A SHORT DISTANCE TO THE EDGE. THE TREES AND MOUNTAIN DISAPPEARED ABRUPTLY TOWARD THE NORTH REVEALING THE VERDE VALLEY, THE RED ROCK COUNTRY OF SEDONA, AND BEYOND, THE SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS NEAR FLAGSTAFF, MORE THAN 70 MILES AWAY AS THE CROW FLIES. FROM THE CREST WHERE A LARGE, FLAT ROCK LAID ON A 45 DEGREE ANGLE WE WATCHED PARASAILERS TAKING OFF THE MOUNTAIN TO FLY ON THE THERMAL UPDRAFT CURRENTS COMING UP THE SLOPE FROM THE WARMER VERDE VALLEY, SOME 4,000 FEET BELOW. SO, MINGUS MOUNTAIN BECAME OUR CAMPING AREA FOR THE REMAINDER OF 1992, UNTIL WE LEFT FOR MISSISSIPPI. WHEN WE WOULD TURN OFF 89A, THOMAS WOULD START CRYING IN EAGER ANTICIPATION OF THE COOL WOODS, THE LAKE, CAMPING, ETC. TO ACCOMMODATE HIM WE ALWAYS STOPPED AT THE LAKE FOR A QUICK SWIM AND WALK AROUND BEFORE GETTING A CAMP SITE. WE TENT CAMPED HERE BUT THOMAS ALWAYS WANTED TO BE OUTSIDE THE TENT. INSIDE THE TENT WITH LINDA, Tuņia, AND ME WAS JUST TOO WARM. EVEN IN A BLIZZARD HE WAS MOST COMFORTABLE TO BE IN THE OPEN AIR, AS WE FOUND OUT IN PENNSYLVANIA A COUPLE YEARS LATER. MINGUS WAS ONE OF THOSE NORTHERN ARIZONA PLACES WHERE YOU COULD LAY ON YOUR BACK ON A TARP OR SLEEPING BAG AND SEE MORE STARS THAN ANYWHERE ON LAND I HAVE EVER BEEN BEFORE. THE AIR IS CLEAR AT THOSE ELEVATIONS AND WITHOUT SURROUNDING CITY LIGHTS TO DROWN OUT THE STAR LIGHT, THE ONLY PLACE THAT COMPARES IS ABOARD SHIP FAR FROM LAND. WE BROUGHT OUR TELESCOPE TO MINGUS AND ATTEMPTED TO VIEW THE MOON AND PLANETS. AT SUCH COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURES, THE DOGS WERE CONTENTED COMPANIONS TO OUR STAR GAZING. JUMPING THE FISH POND AND MISSING IN PHOENIX THERE WERE NUMEROUS THINGS THOMAS DID THAT WERE COMICAL AND PROBABLY INTENDED TO BE JUST THAT BY HIM. SOME WERE JUST A FLASH IN TIME AND TOTALLY UNEXPECTED BY US. IN THOMAS'S YOUTH EVERY THING WAS DONE IN A HURRY AT FULL SPEED AHEAD. HE WAS ALSO AN ACCOMPLISHED PRACTICAL JOKER WITH Tuņia, WHICH PROVOKED ALTERCATIONS. Tuņia DID NOT ENJOY SHARING OUR ATTENTIONS AND AFFECTIONS either. SO, WHEN A BALL, FRISBEE, OR ROPE PULL TOY CAME OUT, DID NOT WANT TO SHARE. SHE PLAYED WITH THOMAS WITH THE ROPE BUT PREFERRED TO HAVE A TUG OF WAR WITH US. WITH THOMAS SHE WAS ALWAYS CHECKING HER TEETH FOR LOOSE, BROKEN OR MISSING ONES AFTER HE RIPPED IT FROM HER GRIP. ON ONE OCCASION WE WERE SITTING ON THE PATIO IN OUR BACK YARD IN PHOENIX, TALKING, RELAXING AND THROWING A TENNIS BALL OUT TO THE LAWN TO BE RETRIEVED. THE PATIO WAS BORDERED BY A 15" WALLED, RAISED GARDEN ON THE LEFT AND FRONT. THE MIDDLE FRONT RAISED GARDEN WAS BROKEN BY A SUNKEN, 6'X6' FISH POND CONTAINING 700 GALLONS. BEYOND THE GARDEN WAS A LAWN. TOWARD THE RIGHT A SIDEWALK CONNECTED THE PATIO AND LAWN. ALTHOUGH THOMAS WAS FASTER, Tuņia WAS MORE ADROIT AT RETRIEVING. THOMAS COULD NOT MANEUVER ON TURNS AS SKILLFULLY. IF HE REACHED AN OBJECT AHEAD OF Tuņia HE INEVITABLY OVERRAN IT BECAUSE HE COULD NOT COUNTER THE MOMENTUM HE GENERATED. SO, SHE ALMOST ALWAYS WAS THE ONE COMING BACK TO ME WITH THE TOY AND RECEIVING PRAISE. THIS INCITED LOTS OF BARKING FROM TOM. Tuņia ONLY STOOD IT SO LONG AND WOULD JUMP HIM AND PUT HIM IN HIS PLACE WHICH WAS NOT ALPHA DOG. IF I PRAISED HER LAVISHLY HE WOULD SCOLD ME WITH HIS WOO, WOO, WOO BARK. FINALLY, FEELING QUITE FRUSTRATED AND INADEQUATE HE WAS DETERMINED TO RETRIEVE THE BALL THE NEXT THROW. QUENCHING HIS THIRST FROM THE WATER BOWL, HIS PLAN WAS READY AS HE STOOD WITH A VERY DETERMINED LOOK WAITING FOR THE NEXT THROW. I OBLIGED HIM AND SUPER RETRIEVER, Tuņia, WITH A THROW TO THE YARD. AS USUAL, Tuņia HEADED AROUND THE GARDEN WALL. THOMAS HEADED FOR HIS PLANNED SHORT CUT - OVER THE POND. EITHER HIS LEAP WAS TOO SOON OR HE SLIPPED SLIGHTLY BUT THE OUTCOME WAS THAT HE FAILED TO CLEAR THE POND AND LANDED ON HIS CHEST ON THE FAR WALL. HE SLIPPED off the algae-covered side BACK INTO THE WATER BUT MANAGED TO KEEP HIS HEAD ABOVE WATER. UNABLE TO EXTRICATE HIMSELF FROM THE SLIPPERY WALLED POND, I ENTERED THE WATER TO LEND A HAND. PHYSICALLY HE APPEARED FINE BUT HIS PRIDE WAS OBVIOUSLY WOUNDED. WITH HIS HEAD HUNG A LITTLE LOWER I BATHED HIM, to rid the swamp smell, AS THE BALL GAME WAS OVER FOR THAT DAY. There is another story related to that pond and Thomas. I have always enjoyed having a fish pond since a youth. Like my Dad, I made my first in my parent's yard at 15 years old. My Phoenix pond produced some very large Koi and numerous offspring. I returned from a work stint in Washington State with a tank of Koi in the rear of my truck. They all survived the trip that included snow in Bend, Oregon and a dust storm in Barstow, California and 100+ degrees temperature. Their water was aerated by an air tank and flow control valve to air line and air stone in the water. The air tank was recharged about every 400 miles at tire service pumps in gas stations. Tom noticed the fish but never tried to catch them. But when a very large one died suddenly one day, he was curious and both Thomas and Tuņia watched me bury the prize in the garden. A few days later we left the dogs to go for a swim after work at the local pool club. Upon returning we were greeted by cool air conditioning when we opened the front door, two happy dogs, and the undeniable smell of garbage - in our house! Mortified, we tried to locate the source of this strong, obnoxious odor. The dogs were glad to help and ran willy-nilly around searching too. Looking for praise for helping Thomas ran in front of Linda as she walked hunched-over, looking, and smelling. When he passed under her nose, she knew she found the source. "Thomas, it is you that smells!" She could not believe it, I could not believe it, and then we realized it was from the fish. They dug it up, rolled in it, and were very happy with the affect! They were definitely proud of the smell they carried back to the pack. They were very surprised and confused to get a bath since this smell was oviously better than dog soap. PICKWICK LAKE WHEN WE MOVED TO MISSISSIPPI WE WERE DELIGHTED TO FIND PICKWICK LAKE, A MAN-MADE LAKE ON THE TENNESSEE RIVER. SINCE MISSISSIPPI HAS NO LEASH LAWS IT WAS FINE TO TAKE THE DOGS TO THE LAKE, FIND A SECLUDED SPOT AND LET THEM RUN AND PLAY IN THE WATER JUST LIKE KIDS. THEY LOVED A LITTLE LAGOON WE FOUND. IT WAS MAYBE 75 FEET ACROSS, 150 FEET TO THE MUDDY END AND THE OTHER END OPENED ONTO THE LAKE WITH THE DAM IN SIGHT. THE AREA SURROUNDING THE LAGOON WAS GRASSY, SHADED AND HAD A PICNIC AREA NEAR BY. THOMAS AND Tuņia PLAYED FOR HOURS TOGETHER, RETRIEVED A STICK, FRISBEE OR BALL FOR ME OR LINDA AND SELDOM CAME OUT FOR A REST. WHEN WE WOULD STOP TO EAT, THEN THEY CAME. AFTER EATING THOMAS WOULD BE OVERCOME BY FATIGUE AND A LARGE MEAL AND FALL FAST ASLEEP IN THE GRASS. ON OCCASION I WENT TO THE LAKE WITH JUST THE DOGS. AT THESE TIMES THEY WOULD PLAY UNTIL I FIGURED THEY HAD ENOUGH, THEN LOAD THEM INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AND HEAD HOME. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS HOT DURING THE RIDE HOME THEY FLAKED OUT IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AND LET THE WIND COME IN THE WINDOW ABOVE WITHOUT TRYING TO GET THEIR FACES OUT THE CAMPER WINDOWS. I WOULD TURN AROUND TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE STILL WITH ME SINCE I WAS USED TO SEEING THEM IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR. AFTER THESE OUTINGS THE DOGS WERE NOT ABLE TO MUSTER THE STRENGTH TO LEAP INTO THE TRUCK BED. I WOULD OPEN THE TAILGATE BUT HAD TO HELP EACH GET UP AND IN THE BED. THIS WAS NOT NORMAL IN THEIR YOUTHFUL DAYS. WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG THEY BOUNDED INTO THE TRUCK AS SOON AS THE BACK WAS OPEN. IN LATER YEARS THEIR AGE MADE IT NECESSARY FOR ME TO HELP AND SOMETIMES BOTH ME AND LINDA HAD TO LIFT THEM. BUT ON THESE OCCASIONS IT SEEMED AS IF THEY WERE JUST TIRED FROM THE LAKE ACTIVITY. IT WAS SO HOT AND HUMID IN MISSISSIPPI AFTER MID-MAY THAT THE DOGS DID NOT WANT TO BE OUTSIDE. THEY WOULD GO IN THE BACK YARD JUST LONG ENOUGH TO RELIEVE THEMSELVES AND BE AT THE DOOR WANTING BACK INSIDE. WE THOUGHT A KIDDY WADING POOL WOULD HELP AND THAT THEY MIGHT LEARN TO USE IT. WE HAD TRIED IN ARIZONA TO INTEREST THEM IN A CHILDREN'S POOL BUT THEY WERE TOO SPOILED WITH RON'S FULL-SIZE POOL, LAKES, AND STREAMS TO BE BOTHERED. WE BOUGHT A POOL AGAIN BUT WHEN WE GOT IT FILLED, THE RESULT WAS THE SAME, "NO THANKS." I STOOD OVER THE POOL AND TRIED TO PULL THOMAS IN IT. HE GOT IN EVENTUALLY BUT DID NOT WANT TO SIT. HE DID NOT APPRECIATE HANDS FULL OF WATER OR A PAILFUL BEING DUMPED ON HIM. I EVENTUALLY GOT IN MYSELF, SAT DOWN, SPLASHED AND LOOKED FOOLISH TO THE NEIGHBORS, BUT COULD NOT COAX THOMAS OR Tuņia. A YOUNG GIRL FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD VISITED LINDA OFTEN. THOMAS ALWAYS GAVE ANY VISITOR A BAD TIME INITIALLY UPON ARRIVAL. THIS GIRL WAS UNDETERRED BY THOMAS AND NOT AT ALL INTIMIDATED. SHE OFTEN JUST CAME RIGHT IN WHICH UPSET HIM AND CAUSED MUCH BARKING AND HIS USUAL "WOO WOO WOO." SHE SIMPLY WOULD SAY IN A VERY HEAVY SOUTHERN DRAWL, "HUUUSH THOMAS." SHE WAS PROBABLY THE ONLY PERSON NEVER CONCERNED WITH TOM'S SELF APPOINTED ROLE AS LINDA'S PROTECTOR. WHEN LINDA DID NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH ENTERTAINMENT, THE LITTLE BOY IN THOMAS WAS READY TO PLAY ALWAYS. IN MY MIND'S EYE I CAN RECALL THOMAS CHASING HER AROUND THE CENTER ISLAND IN THE KITCHEN, WITH SQUEALS AND LAUGHTER FROM HER AND BARKING BY HIM. BEAR LAKE AND EXPERIENCES TRAVELING BACK EAST THE END OF 1993 I WAS LAID OFF FROM A NASA PROGRAM IN NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI WHEN CONGRESS STOPPED FUNDING THE ASRM PROGRAM. WE RETURNED TO ARIZONA TO CONDUCT A NATIONWIDE JOB SEARCH. I DID ODD JOBS AGAIN AND LINDA DID CONTRACT AND TEMPORARY WORK FOR FIVE MONTHS. SHE RECEIVED A JOB OFFER WITH A FORMER EMPLOYER IN NEW JERSEY. THE TWO OF US WENT TO FIND HOUSING THAT WOULD ENABLE US TO HAVE THE DOGS. WITH THIS ACCOMPLISHED IN ONE WEEK, LUCKILY, I FLEW BACK TO ARIZONA TO GET THE DOGS, WHO WERE STAYING WITH A FRIEND, RON KOZOMAN AND HIS DOG, CWIP. WE WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE IN THE TRUCK ACROSS COUNTRY SINCE TOM'S EPILEPSY PRECLUDED HIM FROM BEING SEDATED TO FLY. THE INTENTION WAS TO TRAVEL AS CHEAPLY AS POSSIBLE SINCE LINDA'S SALARY, OUR ONLY INCOME, WAS MARGINAL AND I STILL HAD NO JOB NOR ANY PROSPECTS. THE DOGS AND I WOULD CAMP ACROSS COUNTRY STARTING IN EARLY MAY. THIS WOULD BE A MOUNTAIN MAN AND DOGS TRIP. WE WISHED LINDA WAS WITH US BUT WE DID WHAT WE HAD TO DO AND MADE THE MOST OF IT. LINDA AGREED TO LET ME SEE THE GRAND CANYON ONE LAST TIME AND TAKE A MORE NORTHERLY ROUTE WHERE IT WOULD, HOPEFULLY, BE COOLER FOR THE DOGS. AFTER CAMPING A NIGHT IN FLAGSTAFF WE VENTURED TO THE NORTH RIM OF THE GRAND CANYON FOR A NIGHT'S STAY. CONTINUING NORTH THROUGH UTAH WE STAYED IN A NICE CAMP GROUND NEAR SALT LAKE CITY THE NEXT NIGHT. OVER DINNER I PREPARED A ROUTE FOR US TO FOLLOW THE NEXT DAY. IN ADDITION TO PLANNING THE COURSE WE WOULD TAKE THE NEXT DAY, NIGHTLY, BEFORE "SACKING OUT" WITH THE DOGS, I WROTE AND MAILED POSTCARDS TO LINDA TO SHOW OUR PROGRESS ACROSS COUNTRY. THIS NIGHT I WROTE ABOUT A GOOD SIZE LAKE I FOUND THAT LOOKED INTERESTING SPANNING THE UTAH - IDAHO BORDER NAMED BEAR LAKE. THAT WAS OUR NEXT DESTINATION, NORTHEAST THROUGH OGDEN. AFTER PASSING THROUGH THE COLLEGE TOWN OF OGDEN, THE ROAD BEGAN PARALLELING A CREEK BED WITH A SWIFT FLOWING CREEK THAT LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING THE DOGS WOULD LIKE TO GET REFRESHED IN. TYPICAL OF THE WEST, THE CREEK BED WAS LUSH WITH VEGETATION WHILE JUST UP FROM THE CREEK THE SURROUNDING HILLS WERE ARID WITH MORE SPARSELY POPULATED SUN FACING SLOPES COMPARED WITH SHADIER SIDES. DROUGHT RESISTANT JUNIPER AND GRASS DOMINATED THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS. I LOOKED FOR A TURN OFF WHERE I COULD LET THE DOGS HAVE A BREAK. Tuņia HAD THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WAS CURLED UP ON A TOWEL. THOMAS WAS SITTING BEHIND THE SEATS IN THE EXTENDED CAB AREA. HE SAT PERCHED ON THE SCISSOR JACK COVER WITH HIS FRONT PAWS STRADDLING THE CENTER CONSOLE AND HIS HEAD BETWEEN THE BUCKET SEAT BACKS. IN THIS POSITION HE HAD A GOOD VANTAGE POINT TO WATCH THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND OUT EITHER SIDE WINDOW. IT WAS AS IF HE WAS RIDING SHOTGUN BECAUSE HE OFTEN BARKED AT PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS, TRUCKERS AND PEOPLE IN CARS. AS HE SAT THERE HE OFTEN NUDGED MY ARM, TOO, TO REMIND ME HE WAS THERE AND NEEDED PETTING. THIS WAS SO ROUTINE THAT I MADE SURE MY RIGHT HAND WAS NEVER THE ONLY HAND ON THE STEERING WHEEL, LEAST HE NUDGE ME AND MAKE ME LOSE CONTROL. IT ALWAYS WORKED AS I WOULD RUB HIS MUZZLE, EARS OR NECK, WHATEVER I COULD REACH. WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC I SLOWED WHEN I NOTICE WHAT LOOKED LIKE A SIDE ROAD AHEAD ON THE RIGHT. I SIGNALED AND TURNED OFF THE MAIN ROAD. THE TRUCK IMMEDIATELY DESCENDED A STEEP, GRAVEL ROAD THAT HEADED FOR THE CREEK. WITHIN 50 FEET WE WERE FORDING THE CREEK AND BOUNCING OVER ROCKS IN THE FOOT DEEP WATER. Tuņia WAS UP AND LOOKING AS SOON AS I TURNED. THOMAS WAS ALREADY EXCITED AND HOPING FOR A CHANCE TO GET WET. I TURNED OFF THE GRAVEL ROAD UNDER A COTTONWOOD TREE FOR SHADE AND PARKED. THE DOGS WERE ALREADY CRYING, PLEADING AND TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE TRUCK AND INTO THE WATER, ESPECIALLY THOMAS. IT WAS A HOT NOON HOUR AS I WATCHED FROM THE EDGE AND HAD A SNACK. AS USUAL, Tuņia WAS SUBDUED AND GINGERLY WALKED AMONGST THE SMOOTH, WATER-WORN ROCKS. ALSO TYPICAL, THOMAS RAN, SLIPPED, SPLASHED AND DASHED IN ONE DIRECTION, THEN ANOTHER, THEN TOWARDS ME, THEN OVER TO Tuņia TO CHECK SOMETHING SHE HAD FOUND TO SNIFF. UNIMPRESSED WITH HER FIND, HE CONTINUED ON, DRINKING GREAT GULPS AS HE BIT THE MOUNDS OF WATER GOING OVER SUBMERGED ROCKS. I WENT TO UNLOCK THE REAR OF THE CAMPER SHELL SINCE THE DOGS WOULD NEED TO BE IN THE BACK NOW. I MOVED GEAR TO MAKE A COMFORTABLE SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE BOTH KIDS. I ALSO OPENED THE SIDE SHELL WINDOWS TO ALLOW A BREEZE TO COME IN THE BACK. THEY CAME OVER TO BEG A TREAT FOR BEING GOOD DOGS. Tuņia GAVE A GOOD SHAKE BUT THOMAS SEEMED DETERMINED TO KEEP WET AND COOL. I LOWERED THE TAILGATE AND HE BOUNDED UP AND IN THE BACK. Tuņia WAS TIRED AND GOT HER FRONT PAWS UP TO BEG ME TO HELP HER IN THE BACK. I ACCEDED, CLOSED THE TAILGATE AND ASKED FOR KISSES FOR THE BREAK AND TREATS. BOTH DOGS OBLIGED ME BEFORE CLAIMING A SPOT TO SETTLE ONTO. WITH BRIGHT EYES AND WIDE, PANTING LOOKS, I CLOSED THEM IN THE BACK TO CONTINUE THE RIDE. WHEN I PULLED BACK ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY, I WENT NO MORE THAN A QUARTER MILE, CROSSED A BRIDGE AND SAW A PARKING AREA ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE WHERE THE SOURCE OF THE CREEK PERCOLATED OUT FROM ROCK LAYERS. I PARKED AND GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE. WATER CASCADED FROM THE MOUTH OF A CAVE 25 FEET IN DIAMETER. A SIGN TOLD HOW THE WATER EMERGED HERE WHERE THE AQUIFER LAYER WAS OPEN FROM THE CONTAINMENT LAYERS ABOVE AND BELOW. THE WATER WAS FROM SNOW MELT IN A VALLEY MILES AWAY. SNOW MELT OR NOT THE DOGS HAD ENJOYED THE REFRESHMENT AND DID NOT INDICATE ANY UNCOMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE. WE CONTINUED ONWARD TOWARD OUR DESTINATION, BEAR LAKE. IN A FEW HOURS I CRESTED A RIDGE TO SEE BEAR LAKE OFF IN THE DISTANCE STRETCHING ACROSS THE FULL WIDTH OF THE WINDSHIELD. WHAT A WONDERFUL VIEW I HAD OF THIS REMOTE PARADISE. A CONVENIENT PULL OUT AFFORDED A PLACE TO PHOTOGRAPH THE TRAVERTINE COLORED LAKE. THEN I DESCENDED THE HILL ON A SWITCHBACK ROAD WHILE KEEPING ONE EYE ON THE LAKE AS IT GOT CLOSER. THE AREA IS FREQUENTED BY URBANITES FROM SALT LAKE CITY IN THE SUMMER. BUT, SINCE IT WAS EARLY IN THE SEASON FEW PEOPLE WERE AROUND YET. WE SET UP CAMP IN A KOA AND MADE RESERVATIONS AT THE NEXT KOA BETWEEN THE TETONS AND YELLOWSTONE, SINCE A WEEKEND WAS APPROACHING. THEN IT WAS OFF TO EXPLORE THE LAKE SHORE. I LOCATED A PARKING AREA ALONG THE SOUTHWEST PORTION OF THE LAKE. A SIGN DESCRIBING THE 18 MILE LONG, FINGER-SHAPED LAKE THAT RAN NORTH AND SOUTH, SAID IT WAS SHALLOW ALONG THE WESTERN SIDE, WHERE WE WERE AND AS DEEP AS 220' ALONG THE EASTERN SIDE. HILLS WITH CHAPARRAL GRASS AND WIDELY SPACED PONDEROSA OR LODGEPOLE PINE SURROUNDED THE TURQUOISE COLORED LAKE ON THE WEST WHERE WE HAD APPROACHED FROM. LARGE VACATION HOMES WERE SCATTERED ON THE WESTERN HILLS. STEEPER MOUNTAINS BORDERED THE EASTERN SIDE WITH LITTLE VISIBLE HABITATION. THE DOGS SO WERE EXCITED AND HAPPY TO BE THERE. IT WAS A PERFECT TEMPERATURE FOR A SWIM ON THIS SUNNY, MID-MAY SPRING DAY. I WAS CAREFUL THAT NO ONE WAS AROUND THAT WE MIGHT INTERFERE WITH AND SINCE THERE WERE NO SIGNS SAYING THE DOGS WERE NOT ALLOWED, WE TOOK A WALK TO THE WATER'S EDGE. WELL, I DID, BUT THEY CONTINUED RIGHT IN THE WATER. THE TWO OF THEM FROLICKED SIDE BY SIDE IN THE SHALLOW WATER, PRANCING, SNAPPING PLAYFULLY AT EACH OTHER'S NECKS AND HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME. I THREW A STICK WHICH THEY RETRIEVED AND THEN LET GO TOO FAR OUT FOR ME TO GET. THEY CONTINUED RUNNING BACK AND FORTH, FARTHER AND FARTHER OUT. THEY WERE PERHAPS 200' OFF THE SHORE NOW AND IT WAS NO MORE THAN 8-12 INCHES DEEP WITH A LEVEL AND ROCK FREE BOTTOM. THEY RAN AND SPLASHED ONE ANOTHER FOR AT LEAST HALF AN HOUR. I DID NOT WANT TO CALL THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE HAVING THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES AND IT WAS OBVIOUSLY SAFE. THOMAS WOULD RUN TOWARD ME TO SPLASH ME OR SHOW ME HE WAS ECSTATIC. AS USUAL WHEN HE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED HIMSELF, HE HAD A WIDE-MOUTH, WILD-EYE LOOK WITH HIS TONGUE FLOPPING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS HE TURNED HIS BODY ABRUPTLY AND HIS TAIL POINTED UPWARD AT RIGID ATTENTION. THAT NIGHT THE WEATHER CHANGED AS A FRONT CAME THROUGH. BOTH DOGS WERE STILL VERY WET AND A STRONG WIND WHISTLED THROUGH THE TRUCK CAMPER. IT WAS NOTICEABLY UNCOMFORTABLE FOR THEM, ESPECIALLY Tuņia. THE WIND FELT LIKE A HURRICANE, ALBEIT WITHOUT RAIN, AND JOSTLED THE TRUCK AROUND. Tuņia WANTED TO GET INTO THE SLEEPING BAG WITH ME. I WAS COMPELLED TO LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN BECAUSE THE SMELL OF WET DOGS WAS QUITE GAMEY. ABOUT 2:00 AM I HAD AN IDEA. ALL WAS QUIET AND DESERTED. THE MEN'S LAVATORY WAS WARM, WELL LIT AND HAD PRIVATE SHOWER STALLS LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE THREE OF US TO FIT INTO COMFORTABLY. SO, WITH TOWELS, MY SHAVING KIT, AND THE ALWAYS READY BAR OF DOG SOAP, OFF WE WENT FOR A LATE NIGHT BATH. OF COURSE, THEY NOTICED THE SOAP IMMEDIATELY AND WERE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF GOING WITH ME, BUT THEY DID. THEY TOOK TURNS GETTING A BATH. WHILE WAITING I ATTACHED A LEASH TO THE LEG OF A SHOWER STALL TO CONTAIN THE DOG-IN-WAITING. WHEN THEY WERE FINISHED I SHAVED AND SHOWERED MYSELF. AFTER TOWELING OFF THEY LOOKED, SMELLED, AND FELT MUCH BETTER. THE ORDEAL ENDED WITHOUT ANYONE BEING ANY THE WISER. I CLEANED THE DRAIN OF HAIR AND WE RETURNED TO THE TRUCK. UNDER A FULL MOON AND CLEAR SKY I WALKED THEM IN A FIELD BEFORE RETURNING TO THE TRUCK BED. WE MANAGED TO SLEEP SOME BEFORE WE AROSE AT DAWN. AFTER FEEDING THE DOGS AND LETTING THEM TAKE CARE OF BODILY FUNCTIONS IN A FIELD, I PICKED UP, PACKED UP, AND HEADED OUT. AS WE LEFT THE AREA WITH THE SUN COMING UP OVER THE EASTERN HILLS THAT RIMMED THE LAKE, I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A WONDERFUL PLACE TO RETURN TO WITH THE DOGS AND LINDA. IT WAS ONE OF THOSE PLACES YOU VISIT AND NEVER FORGET. THE JOY I SAW IN THE DOGS FACES AND ACTIONS WAS PRICELESS. THAT DAY WAS A HIGHLIGHT OF ALL OUR LIVES. NOW WE SET OUR SIGHTS NORTHEAST FOR JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING, GATEWAY TO THE GRAND TETONS AND YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. BY CHANCE I STOPPED AT A ROADSIDE HISTORICAL MARKER IN A SMALL IDAHO TOWN. IT SAID THIS WAS THE HOMETOWN OF GUTSOME BORGLEHM, SCULPTOR OF MOUNT RUSHMORE. AS I LEARNED LATER HE ALSO CREATED A SIGNIFICANT STATUE AT GETTYSBURG COMMEMORATING THE NORTH CAROLINIANS WHO WERE PART OF PICKETT'S CHARGE. AFTER STOPPING FOR BREAKFAST IN THIS TOWN, OUR TRAVELS WERE INTERRUPTED FOR A SIGNIFICANT CATTLE CROSSING, COMPLETE WITH VERY AUTHENTIC LOOKING COWBOYS. ALL THIS HAD MY THOMAS VERY EXCITED AS HE SAT ATOP THE JACK COVER. THERE WERE NUMEROUS SQUEAKS, SQUEALS, GRUNTS, BARKS AND CRIES FROM HIM. THE BOY WANTED TO BE A PART OF THAT LIFE, NO DOUBT. I GAVE HIM A HUG AND A KISS AND SAID, "I UNDERSTAND, COWBOY." Tuņia WATCHED WITH SEDATE INTEREST, NOTHING LIKE THE BIG, RED GUY. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY MORNING AS WE ENTERED JACKSON HOLE THROUGH THE FAMOUS ARCH OF ELK ANTLERS THAT ARE ACCUMULATED WHEN THE ELK SHED THEM ANNUALLY. THE TOWN WAS PACKED WITH VISITORS. I STOPPED AT A HARDWARE STORE TO GET REPLACEMENT BATTERIES AND A BETTER READING LIGHT THAN I HAD. THEN WE PASSED THROUGH THE BUSY STREETS TOWARD THE GRAND TETONS. AS WE APPROACHED I SAW AIRLINERS LANDING AT JACKSON HOLE'S AIRPORT. THE PLANES WERE SILHOUETTED WITH THE TETONS IN THE BACKGROUND. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO TAKE A SERIES OF THREE PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MOUNTAINS. WHAT GREAT SHOTS THESE WOULD BE ON THIS PHOTOGRAPHICALLY PERFECT DAY, I THOUGHT, AS I LINED UP THE BEGINNING AND ENDING LOCATIONS FOR PERFECT MATCH. I PLACED THE CAMERA TRIPOD ON THE TRUCK HOOD AND USED THE REMOTE TO ELIMINATE ANY SHAKE. THE DOGS WATCHED CLOSELY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD TO MAKE SURE I HAD EVERYTHING JUST RIGHT. WITH THE PHOTO SESSION COMPLETE WE WENT TO THE GRAND TETONS NATIONAL PARK VISITOR'S CENTER. I PURCHASED THE NEXT POSTCARD FOR LINDA AND CHECKED A MAP FOR WHERE WE COULD EXPLORE. WE FOUND A TRAILHEAD ADJACENT TO A LAGOON OFF SHOOT OF THE NEARBY SNAKE RIVER. THERE WAS A TREE COVERED ISLAND ACROSS OPEN WATER AND A MARSHY AREA THAT HAD AQUATIC PLANTS, DUCKS AND FALLEN TREES ALL MAKING FOR MORE PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES. A BREEZE WHIPPED UP LITTLE WAVES, EVEN IN THIS SHELTERED COVE. WITH THE DOGS ON LEASHES AND CAMERA AT HAND WE SET OFF ON THE TRAIL. SINCE WE WERE ALONE IN WHAT SEEMED TO BE A REMOTE PART OF THE PARK, I DECIDED TO ALLOW THE DOGS TO BE OFF THE LEASHES TO SNIFF THE AREA OVER, AS NECESSARY. THE TRAIL, LITTERED WITH CONES AND OLD NEEDLES FROM THE ABUNDANT GROWTH, CAME OUT TO AN OVERLOOK ON THE EDGE OF THE SNAKE RIVER WITH THE SNOW-COVERED TETONS ACROSS THE RIVER TO THE WEST. THE SUNLIGHT SPARKLED ON THE WATER AND THE TETONS WERE FRAMED BY BLUE SKY WITH WHITE, PUFFY CUMULUS CLOUDS COMPLETING ANOTHER PICTURE-PERFECT SCENE. THAT'S WHEN I SAW SOMETHING THAT WOULD NOT ONLY MAKE ME GET THE DOGS ON THE LEASHES AGAIN, BUT HEAD BACK TO THE TRUCK IN ERNEST. IT WAS NOT A PARK RANGER, NOR ANOTHER HIKER, NOT EVEN ANOTHER DOG THAT MADE ME REACT SO. A LARGE PONDEROSA PINE HAD BEEN STAKED OUT BY AN EVEN LARGER BEAR. THE CLAW MARKS 12 FEET UP THE TRUNK LET ME KNOW I DID NOT WANT TO INTERFERE OR CONFRONT THE OWNER OF THIS AREA. I COULD IMAGINE THE DOGS TRYING TO PROTECT ME FROM THE RIGHTFUL OWNER OF THESE WOODS AND VISTAS. IT WAS PRUDENT TO LEAVE NOW. OUR CAMPGROUND BECKONED. THE GRAND TETONS AND YELLOWSTONE ARE ONLY ABOUT 20 MILES APART WITH A CONNECTING ROAD BETWEEN THAT RUNS ALONG THE SNAKE RIVER. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN THIS AREA AND NOT BE TEMPTED TO WATCH THE SCENERY. BUT I HAD TO LOOK FOR OUR CAMPGROUND, TOO, WHICH WAS TO BE DIRECTLY BETWEEN BOTH NATIONAL PARKS. AS I CROSSED A BRIDGE OVER A RAGING CREEK I SAW THE KOA WHERE WE WOULD STAY FOR ONE SHORT NIGHT. IT DID NOT SEEM FAIR TO SPEND ONLY ONE NIGHT IN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL AREA. WHEN I CHECKED IN I ADVISED THE PROPRIETOR, AS I ALWAYS DID, THAT I HAD TWO DOGS. HE THANKED ME AND REMINDED ME TO KEEP THEM ON LEASHES, AS USUAL. HE SAID THE CAMP GROUND HAD AN UPPER LEVEL WITH NUMEROUS RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, RV'S, AND A LOWER LEVEL FOR TENT CAMPING. HE DIRECTED ME THERE AND SAID WE WOULD PROBABLY BE ALONE TONIGHT, SINCE IT WAS STILL EARLY IN THE SEASON AND COLD AT NIGHT. I DROVE BEHIND THE TWO STORY CAMPGROUND HEADQUARTERS AND TOOK THE LEFT FORK DOWN A STEEP GRADE TO THE TENT CAMPING AREA. THE ROAD ENDED AT THE RIVER'S EDGE. I BACKED BETWEEN TWO LARGE EVERGREEN TREES. THIS SITE WAS THE FARTHEST LOCATION ON A PENINSULA BETWEEN THE RAGING LITTLE CREEK I CROSSED BEFORE THE ENTRANCE AND THE SWIFT MOVING, AND MUCH WIDER, SNAKE RIVER. WE HAD WATER ON TWO SIDES OF US. THE NOISE WAS DEAFENING AS WATER VAULTED ROCKS TO FORM WHITE-WATER RAPIDS. THE SNORING DOGS WOULD BE DROWNED OUT TONIGHT. AFTER ERECTING THE TENT I PREPARED THE EVENING MEALS FOR MY SIDEKICKS. IT WAS GREATLY APPRECIATED AND DISAPPEARED QUICKLY. I RECEIVED THE CUSTOMARY THANK YOU KISSES. THOMAS, ESPECIALLY, ALWAYS SHOWED HIS APPRECIATION. IT WAS A LITTLE EARLY FOR ME TO GO EAT AND SINCE I ONLY INTENDED TO GO ACROSS THE STREET TO A RESTAURANT OVER LOOKING THE VERY CREEK I WAS CAMPED ALONG, WE HAD TIME FOR AN EXPLORATORY WALK. THE MENTION OF THE MAGIC WORD GOT AN EAGER RESPONSE. WE WALKED ALONG THE SNAKE RIVER BUT IT WAS TOO SWIFT TO ALLOW THE DOGS TO GO IN. BESIDES IT WAS GETTING VERY CHILLY. ACROSS THE RIVER THE TETONS LOOMED. WE WALKED ALONG AN EMBANKMENT 20 FEET BELOW THE WOODED RV CAMP SITES. WE CAME TO A POOL WHICH WAS FORMED BY AN EDDY WHEN THE RIVER RAN AT A HIGHER VOLUME. UNLEASHED THE DOGS WADED THROUGH THE SHALLOW AND STILL WATER. THEY MUST BE TIRED, I THOUGHT, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ROMP THROUGH THE WATER OR INSTIGATE TROUBLE WITH EACH OTHER. THEY WERE CONTENT TO COOL THEIR LEGS, WALK AROUND AND DRINK FROM THE SNAKE. SOON WE RETURNED AND I PUT THEM IN THE TRUCK BED TO DRIVE TO DINNER. A RITUAL STARTED ON THIS TRIP. WHEN I WENT TO EAT I ALWAYS CAME BACK WITH SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH THE KIDS. AT TIMES I WOULD ASK FOR A CONTAINER TO TAKE LEFTOVERS TO MY KIDS IN THE TRUCK. SOMETIMES THIS COMMENT PROVOKED A LOOK THAT REQUIRED AN EXPLANATION, LEST I BE EXPLAINING IT TO A POLICE OFFICER. TONIGHT IT WAS A STEAK SCRAP THAT I KNEW NEEDED TO BE CUT INTO SEVERAL SMALL PIECES SO IT COULD BE SHARED MORE EQUITABLY AND DEVOURED IN MORE THAN ONE GULP. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE TRUCK AND OPENED THE TAILGATE, I ASKED FOR KISSES FIRST BUT THEY WERE TOO EXCITED TO DO MORE THAN SLAP A COUPLE TONGUES IN THE AIR AND AGAINST THEIR OWN CHEEKS. AFTER THE SNACK I GOT MY REWARD, KISSES. WHEN WE RETURNED IT WAS DUSK, OUR USUAL TIME TO GET READY FOR SLEEP. THE DAILY POSTCARD WAS WRITTEN AND TOMORROW WE WOULD HEAD INTO YELLOWSTONE, DO SOME SIGHT-SEEING, AND FINALLY TURN EAST AT THE NORTH-SOUTH AND EAST-WEST JUNCTION WITHIN THE PARK. SO, IT WAS TIME TO BRUSH MY TEETH AND CURL UP WITH A COUPLE DOGS. THOMAS HELPED WITH THE TEETH CLEANING JUST AS LINDA HAD ENCOURAGED HIM WHEN HE DISCOVERED HE LIKED HUMAN TOOTHPASTE. IT WAS GETTING SO COLD, SO QUICKLY THAT I DECIDED THE POSTED EXPECTED TEMPERATURE OF THE UPPER 20'S WAS GOING TO BE A REALITY. A CHANGE OF PLANS ENSUED. WE WOULD SLEEP IN THE TRUCK WHERE THE CLOSER QUARTERS AND BETTER WIND PROTECTION WOULD MAKE LIFE MORE COMFORTABLE, AT LEAST FOR Tuņia AND ME. THAT NIGHT THE WATER BOWL FROZE SOLID. THE FOLLOWING MORNING WE HEADED INTO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. WE HAD BREAKFAST AT A PICNIC AREA INSIDE THE PARK. NUMEROUS SIGNS WARNED TO STAY CLEAR OF THE BEARS AND BUFFALO. SO, WHILE THE DOGS ATE, I KEPT A LOOK OUT FOR TROUBLE. THE MEAL WAS UNDISTURBED. WHEN WE GOT TO THE VISITOR'S CENTER I PUT THE KIDS ON THE LEASHES AND WE WALKED AROUND THE AREA. THE VISITOR'S CENTER AT YELLOWSTONE IS ADJACENT TO "OLD FAITHFUL," THE GEYSER THAT YELLOWSTONE IS FAMOUS FOR. THE ERUPTIONS TIMES ARE POSTED ON A CHALK BOARD AND SINCE THE NEXT WAS WITHIN 20 MINUTES, WE WENT TO GET A SEAT AND HAVE THE CAMERA READY. THE VIEWING AREA, WHICH WAS RAPIDLY FILLING UP, OVERLOOKS A MOOR WITH FUMAROLE, STEAM POTS, BOILING POOLS AND LESSER GEYSERS. BOARDWALKS MEANDER THROUGH THIS MOONSCAPE. DISTANT FIR COVERED HILLS AND A BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKY WITH THE OCCASIONAL PUFFY WHITE CLOUD ASSURED ME I WAS STILL ON EARTH. THE DOGS ENJOYED LAYING IN THE COOL LAWN ON THIS SUNNY DAY. THEY WATCHED OTHER PEOPLE BRING THEIR TRAVELING DOGS ALONG FOR THE SHOW. WHEN THE EVENT HAPPENED, I NOTICED THOMAS LOOKING UP WITH A BEMUSED LOOK, SORT OF LIKE THE TIME HE NOTICED AN ADVERTISING BLIMP FLY OVER IN PHOENIX, BUT THERE WAS NO FEAR SINCE A YAWN SOON CAME. NEXT WE VISITED THE "GRAND CANYON" OF YELLOWSTONE. IT WAS NOT WORTHY OF THE TERM BUT YELLOWSTONE FALLS WERE SPECTACULAR, EVEN IF SURROUNDED BY CHARRED AND TREELESS SLOPES FROM THE FIRES OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR. WE STOPPED AT SEVERAL PRECIPICES TO SEE THE SNAKE RIVER TRAVERSE THE ROCKY GORGES. AT ONE SUCH STOP A TRIO OF BISON GRAZED ON SPRING GREEN GRASS. THEY SEEMED OBLIVIOUS TO THE GATHERING TOURISTS THAT WANTED FIRSTHAND, CLOSE UP LOOKS AND PHOTOS. NOW, I REMEMBERED THE SIGNS WITH THE GRAPHICS ILLUSTRATING A PERSON BEING LIFTED AND THROWN OVER THE BACK OF THE WOOLY BEHEMOTHS. BUT MY CAMERA RAN OUT OF FILM AND MY SUPPLY WAS IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK WITH THE DOGS. AFTER A FEW MINUTES CONSIDERATION, I FIGURED THE OTHER TOURISTS WOULD KEEP THE ANIMALS BUSY IF PROVOKED OR IF THE NEED TO ATTACK FINALLY AROSE. ONE SUCH VISITOR WAS MUCH CLOSER AND ON WIDE OPEN GROUND, A MUCH EASIER "DARWIN AWARD" TARGET, RIGHT? I GRABBED THE KEYS, WENT BEHIND THE TRUCK, LISTENED FOR TELLTALE SNORTING AND THUNDERING HOOVES, FUMBLED WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCK AND FINALLY PROPELLED MYSELF UP AND IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK ONCE OPEN. TO MY GREAT SURPRISE AND ASTONISHMENT, THOMAS WAS SHAKING LIKE A LEAF ON AN ASPEN TREE. HE LOOKED ME IN THE EYE WITH THAT WILD EYED LOOK HE GETS WHEN HAVING FUN BUT THERE WAS NO MISTAKING THE FEAR IN THIS LOOK. Tuņia, ON THE OTHER HAND, WAS CALM TO THE POINT OF BEING BORED BY THE WHOLE THING. "THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR LOOKING, BIG GUY," I SAID. "THOMAS, I AM SURPRISED, BUT I DON'T BLAME YOU." I HUGGED HIM AND RUBBED HIS NECK BUT THE BOY WAS INCONSOLABLE. THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD HELP WAS TO LEAVE. "JUST LET ME PHOTOGRAPH THE BEAST AND WE WILL LEAVE, OK?" THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME I EVER SAW THOMAS OUTWARDLY AFRAID. THE TRIP PROCEEDED WITH A RIGHT TURN, TOWARD THE EAST, AT YELLOWSTONE. THERE WERE STOPS IN CODY, WYOMING, MOUNT RUSHMORE, RAPID CITY, WALL, AND SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA. WE VISITED FOR A DAY WITH AN OLD FRIEND, MARV JOHNSON, IN ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA. WITH MARV WE EXPLORED THE WINONA, MINNESOTA AREA OVERLOOKING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND MINNEAPOLIS. THAT NIGHT THOMAS AND Tuņia PLAYED WITH MARV'S DAUGHTER, SARA, IN THEIR FRONT YARD. THERE WAS A COUPLE INCHES OF FRESH SNOW AND THE DOGS ENJOYED CHASING EACH OTHER, SNOWBALL, SARA, AND ME. IT HELPED TIRE THEM FOR GOING TO SLEEP. THAT NIGHT WE SLEPT WARM AND COMFORTABLE ON THE FLOOR OF MARV'S FAMILY ROOM. THEN IT WAS ON TO LINDA'S PARENTS' HOME WHERE WE SPENT A NIGHT. WHILE THERE, Tuņia AND THOMAS REMEMBERED THE LOCATION OF THE TREATS FROM A VISIT TWO YEARS PREVIOUS. THOMAS ALMOST WENT THROUGH A SLIDING GLASS WINDOW, TOO, AT THE SIGHT OF RACCOONS FEEDING IN THEIR BACK YARD. IT WAS HERE WE RECEIVED A HURRY UP CALL FROM LINDA TO GET TO NEW JERSEY AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE MOVER WAS DUE TO ARRIVE ANY DAY NOW. SO, WE MADE AN 18 HOUR NON-STOP TRIP THROUGH TO NEW JERSEY, ARRIVING ABOUT 3:00 AM ON THE MEMORIAL WEEKEND. THE THREE OF US WENT TO SLEEP IN THE REAR OF THE TRUCK SINCE THE HOUSEHOLD WHERE LINDA WAS STAYING WAS ASLEEP. WE HAD TO FORGO A STOP IN SHARPSBURG, MARYLAND TO SEE THE SIGHT OF THE CIVIL WAR BATTLE. IN ALL THE TRIP TOOK NEARLY THREE WEEKS AS WE TRAVELED NEARLY 4,200 MILES. IN THE MORNING THE DOGS WERE VERY HAPPY TO SEE THEIR MOM AGAIN. THOMAS RAN IN LARGE CIRCLES IN THE YARD TO SHOW HIS HAPPINESS WHILE Tuņia STAYED BY LINDA AND GAVE KISSES. THOMAS STOPPED EVERY LAP TO SQUEAL, SPIN GIVE A KISS, AND CONTINUE HIS RENDITION OF THE MEMORIAL INDY-500. THIS WAS APPROPRIATE SINCE IT WAS THE MEMORIAL WEEKEND AND WE CAME THROUGH INDIANAPOLIS. IN THE SOUTH BRANCH OF THE RANCOCAS CREEK, MEDFORD, NEW JERSEY FOR THE FIRST YEAR WE WERE BACK EAST WE RESIDED IN A 150-YEAR-OLD HOUSE IN THE QUAINT TOWN OF MEDFORD, NJ. THE TOWN WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1692 AND THE AREA OF MEDFORD IN WHICH WE LIVED WAS REGARDED AS THE HISTORIC VILLAGE. VERY UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH WAS A WIDELY HERALDED MURDER, MADE THIS HOUSE AVAILABLE TO US. IT HAD BEEN REMODELED EXTENSIVELY, INCLUDING CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING, WHICH WAS A MUST DURING THIS RECORD SETTING SUMMER. I WAS STILL OUT OF WORK BUT LOOKING IN EARNEST AFTER SETTING UP THE HOUSEHOLD. IN THE MEAN TIME THE DOGS ACCOMPANIED ME EVERYWHERE. WE OFTEN WENT TO VISIT LINDA FOR LUNCH. THE DOGS WERE A BIG HIT WITH HER CO-WORKERS. THOMAS, ALWAYS THE INTIMIDATOR, ALSO WAS THE INSTANT FRIEND ONCE HE KNEW A STRANGER WAS ACCEPTED BY US. A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THIS TOWN WAS A WOODED PARK IN THE VICINITY OF THE FLOOD PLANE OF THE SOUTH BRANCH OF THE RANCOCAS CREEK. THE PARK WAS ONLY A FEW SHORT BLOCKS FROM OUR ABODE. FREQUENTED BY FEW OTHER PEOPLE, IT WAS AN IDEAL AREA TO WALK THE DOGS AS IT STRETCHED FOR OVER A MILE BETWEEN MAIN STREET AND BRANCH ROAD. IT BECAME A FAVORITE OF BOTH DOGS IMMEDIATELY. WE COULD ENTER THE PARK FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS AND TRIED THEM ALL ROUTINELY. THE DOGS WERE NOT ADVERSE TO TWO AND THREE VISITS A DAY TO THE PARK. AT HOME WHEN THE POSTAGE-STAMP-SIZE LAWN WAS CUT, THE DISHES DONE, THE LAUNDRY COMPLETE, DINNER ON THE STOVE AND MY VEGETABLE GARDEN WATERED AND WEEDED, WHAT ELSE WAS THERE TO DO BUT ENTERTAIN THE DOGS? THIS BEAUTIFUL PARK HAD WONDERFUL TREES, LOTS OF SQUIRRELS, A HORSE FARM ACROSS THE CREEK (WITH ALL THE ACCOMPANYING WONDERFUL OLFACTORY DELIGHTS FOR A DOG), A MEANDERING CREEK WITH ITS CEDAR STAINED WATER, AND A PATH ALONG THE CREEK BANK A FEW FEET ABOVE THE WATER LEVEL. IF THERE WAS ONE DRAWBACK TO THIS PARK IT WAS THE DEVILISH POISON IVY THAT PROLIFERATED AND FLOURISHED IN THIS LOCALE. THOMAS AND Tuņia BOTH LOVED TO BE OFF THE LEASH, FREE TO EXPLORE AND SNIFF EVERYTHING. I ACCOMMODATED THEIR DESIRE AND KEPT WATCH FOR JOGGERS, OTHER PEOPLE WALKING, AND OTHER DOGS. THEN THEY WERE QUICKLY PUT BACK ON THE LEASH. THERE WAS NEVER A PROBLEM SINCE THE DOGS LISTENED AND OBEYED ME VERY WELL. BUT WITH THE DOGS FREE TO CHECK OUT SMELLS THEY ALSO ENCOUNTERED THE POISON IVY WHICH CLUNG TO ALL THE TREE TRUNKS. THE LUSH VINE HAD LEAFLETS AS MUCH AS TWO FEET IN DIAMETER THAT HUNG OFF THE TREE TRUNKS BY TWO TO THREE FEET. WHEN CHECKING A TREE FOR PREVIOUS CANINE MARKINGS THEY GOT RIGHT AMONGST THE SHINY LEAVES AND RUBBED THE IRRITATING OIL ONTO THEIR COATS. ALTHOUGH DOGS ARE IMMUNE TO POISON IVY, LINDA WAS NOT AND WHEN SHE GREETED HER KIDS WITH A HUG UPON RETURNING FROM WORK, SHE SPREAD THE OIL TO HERSELF. I EVEN TRIED TO RID THE YARD OF POISON IVY AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I CONTRACTED POISON IVY SCURGE. WE HAD VARYING BOUTS OF POISON IVY FOR THE REST OF THAT FIRST SUMMER BACK EAST, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER STORY. WHAT STARTED AS A COMFORTABLE SPRING SOON TURNED INTO A VERY MISERABLE, HOT, AND HUMID SUMMER. THERE WERE TWO WAYS THE DOGS COULD REFRESH THEMSELVES, THE RANCOCAS CREEK AND A HOT TUB ON THE DECK BEHIND OUR HOUSE. THE CREEK WAS SUCH A MAGNET THAT THEY AUTOMATICALLY WENT IN THE WATER WHEN OFF THE LEASH. IF I DID NOT WANT THEM IN THE CREEK FOR SOME REASON THEN I COULD NOT REMOVE THE LEASHES. IT WAS THAT SIMPLE. THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN WHEN IT CAME TO THE CREEK. THERE WERE SEVERAL SPOTS WHERE THEY LIKED TO ENTER THE WATER. I HAD TO BE CAREFUL OF POISON IVY ON THE BANK SHOULD I NEED TO ASSIST THEM IN CLIMBING THE BANK. Tuņia USUALLY WADED IN, DRANK FROM THE CREEK, AND SOMETIMES SWAM A LITTLE. THOMAS, ON THE OTHER HAND, PLOWED INTO THE WATER, SWAM UNTIL HE WAS EXHAUSTED, GULPED HUGE AMOUNTS OF CREEK WATER, AND THEN EXPECTED ME TO COME INTO THE WATER AND PUSH HIS REAR END UP THE STEEP BANK. MANY A TIME I RETURNED HOME WITH SOGGY SHOES AFTER THEIR SWIMS. BOTH LIKED TO FETCH A STICK. THEY COMPETED FOR THEM, SOMETIMES SWIMMING BACK TOWARD ME WITH BOTH HOLDING THE SAME STICK ABOVE WATER. BUT THAT GAME DID NOT LAST LONG AS THE STICK WOULD EVENTUALLY DRIFT AWAY UNWANTED BY THE DISINTERESTED DOGS. A SWIM IN THE CREEK BECAME SUCH A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE THAT I DID NOT WASH THE DOGS EACH TIME WHEN WE RETURNED HOME BUT RATHER JUST RINSED THEM WITH WATER FROM THE GARDEN HOSE. THE HOT TUB WAS A QUICK, EASY, AND MORE TEMPERATE WAY TO RINSE OFF AFTER BEING IN THE CREEK. THE HOT TUB BECAME A HANDY AND FAVORITE ALTERNATIVE, ESPECIALLY FOR THOMAS. THE HEATER WAS NOT EMPLOYED BUT THE TEPID WATER WAS PERFECT FOR THOMAS. HE WOULD JUMP IN AND DO CIRCULAR LAPS CAUSING ENORMOUS WAVES TO LAP OVER THE SIDES ONTO THE DECK. HE WOULD CLIMB OUT, REST BRIEFLY, AND JUMP BACK IN FOR MORE FROLICKING AND SPLASHING. ALL THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY GLEEFUL BARKING AND DEVILING OF Tuņia. I ALWAYS SUPERVISED BUT FOUND THAT IF I WAS ALSO IN THE TUB THAT TOM'S CLAWS WOULD INFLICT LARGE SCRATCHES ON MY LEGS AS HE SWAM HIS LAPS. SINCE THE FILTRATION SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, I SIMPLY SIPHONED THE WATER INTO THE GRASS EVERY FEW DAYS AND REFILLED THE TUB. I KEPT AN INFLATABLE CANVAS HOT TUB COVER ON WHEN I WAS NOT IN THE YARD TO PREVENT THOMAS OR Tuņia FROM TAKING AN UNSUPERVISED SWIM AND POSSIBLY DROWNING IN THE PROCESS. AFTER ALL, THEY WERE JUST LIKE KIDS AND SAFEGUARDS HAD TO BE TAKEN AS IF THEY WERE THREE YEARS OLD. TOM'S EPILEPSY IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY WHEN WE CAME EAST. IN FACT IT BECAME SO WELL CONTROLLED THAT HE WAS SEIZURE FREE FOR OVER A YEAR. THE INTERVAL BETWEEN SEIZURES BECAME LONGER THAN ANYTIME SINCE HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH EPILEPSY. SINCE THEY HAD ACCESS TO THE FENCED BACK YARD THROUGH A DOGGIE DOG I INSTALLED, AS WAS THE CASE IN EVERY PLACE WE LIVED, WE TOOK PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. TOM IN ATLANTIC OCEAN AT ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK, NEW JERSEY AT THE END OF OUR FIRST SUMMER BACK EAST I WANTED TO SHOW LINDA AND THE KIDS A FAVORITE PLACE OF MINE FROM MY YOUTH. ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK IS A 15 MILE LONG STRIP OF PRESERVED BEACH AND SAND DUNES WITH NATURAL FLORA AND FAUNA. IT IS THE ONLY SUCH HABITAT IN NEW JERSEY THAT REMAINS. THERE ARE SEPARATE FISHING AND BATHING AREAS, ALL WITH LOTS OF BEACH FOR WALKING, WAVE WATCHING, AND SEASHELL HUNTING. AFTER LABOR DAY THE WEATHER IS IDEAL FOR BATHING SINCE THE AIR TEMPERATURE MORE CLOSELY MATCHES THE WATER TEMPERATURE. THE CROWDS ARE GONE FOR THE MOST PART AND DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON THE BEACH, TOO. I WAS THE FIRST TO ENTER THE WATER AND I BECKONED THE DOGS. BOTH WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WAVES AND RELUCTANT. WHEN I BEGAN BODY SURFING THOMAS BECAME WORRIED WHEN HE WOULD LOSE SIGHT OF ME BEYOND A WAVE. THAT WAS INCENTIVE FOR HIM TO ENTER THE WATER, TO SAVE ME. IT TOOK A FEW TIMES WITH ME CRASHING INTO HIM ON MY WAY IN TO THE SHORE AS HE WAS GOING OUT FOR ME FOR HIM TO REALIZE THIS WAS FUN AND I WAS ALRIGHT. HE THEN RELAXED AND ENJOYED THE BREAKERS ALONG SIDE ME, THEN LINDA. Tuņia, ON THE OTHER HAND, SAT FAR UP THE BEACH AWAY FROM THE SURF AND ANY CHANCE OF ENCOUNTERING A WAVE. SHE WAS KNOCKED OVER BY ONE WAVE AND DECIDED THIS WAS NOT FOR HER. BUT THOMAS LOVED THE BREAKERS AND LET THEM DO WHAT THEY WOULD TO HIM. HE WOULD JUST RIGHT HIMSELF AND CHARGE IN AGAIN OR OUT FOR A REST. OF COURSE THE WILD EYE, FLOPPING TONGUE LOOK PREVAILED. HE ALSO GAVE HIS DEFIANT WOO-WOO-WOO BARK AT THE WAVES TO EITHER SHOW THE WAVES WHO WAS MASTER OR TO SHOW HIS PLEASURE. WE TOOK A LONG WALK FOR A REST OF SORTS. WE WENT TO THE FISHING AREA AT THE ISLAND'S SOUTH END AND WALKED OVER A MILE TO THE BARNEGAT INLET WHERE THE FAMOUS LIGHT HOUSE OF THE SAME NAME STANDS ACROSS THE NARROW WATERWAY THAT CONNECTS OCEAN AND BAY. THE LIGHTHOUSE CONSTRUCTION WAS ENGINEERED BY GENERAL GEORGE MEADE OF GETTYSBURG FAME, IN 1867. AFTER MILES OF WALKING IN BEACH SAND AND SWIMMING IN THE SURF, WE HAD TO LOAD THE TWO VERY TIRED DOGS IN THE TRUCK FOR THE RIDE HOME. TO COMPLETE THE DAY THEY RECEIVED A BATH TO RID THEIR FUR AND SKIN OF SALT AND SAND. EVEN Tuņia WAS FINALLY HAPPY TO HAVE A BATH AND BE AWAY FROM THE OCEAN. TOM HAD A GOOD TIME AND MADE THE MOST OF THE EXPERIENCE BUT EXHAUSTED HIMSELF TO THE POINT OF PAIN. WE GAVE EACH DOG A BUFFERIN TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE AFFECTS. BEDLAM IN MOORESTOWN MALL PHOTO SHOP A GOOD QUALITY PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DOGS WAS SOMETHING WE ALWAYS WANTED. EVERY YEAR THEY HAD ONE TAKEN WITH SANTA CLAUS IN A PET FOOD STORE BUT WE WANTED A PICTURE OF JUST THE DOGS TOGETHER. THIS WAS ON OUR MINDS AS THE PAIR APPROACHED DOUBLE DIGIT AGES. LINDA SAW AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR A PHOTO SHOP IN MOORESTOWN MALL TO HAVE YOUR PET(S) SIT FOR SEVERAL TAKES GIVING YOU CHOICES TO SELECT FROM. I WAS FAMILIAR WITH THIS SHOPPING CENTER AND COULD NOT IMAGINE THE DOGS INSIDE. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE AND I TOOK THEM ONE MORNING FOR THERE SITTING. ON A SHORT LEAD WE MADE OUR WAY TO THE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO AS INCONSPICUOUSLY AS POSSIBLE. I PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE MALL WHICH WOULD ENABLE US TO ENTER AWAY FROM THE FOOD COURT. STILL THERE WERE FOOD KIOSKS THROUGHOUT WHICH MADE ME WORRY. HOWEVER, THE DOGS MINDED WELL ON THE BRISK, SHORT WALK TO THE SHOP. THEY WERE NOTICED BUT NO ONE SAID ANYTHING AND THERE WERE NO REPERCUSSIONS. WE WENT TO THE STUDIO UPON ARRIVAL. IT WAS A LARGE ROOM WITH A CANVAS BACKDROP EXTENDING ONTO A VERY NICE HARDWOOD FLOOR. THE CAMERA AND LIGHT TRIPODS WERE SET UP AND WAITING. THE PHOTOGRAPHER, IF APPREHENSIVE, DID NOT SHOW IT AS SHE CONFIDENTLY EXPLAINED TO ME WHAT SHE WOULD DO AND HOW MANY SHOTS SHE WOULD TAKE. THEN, SHE TRIED TO PLACE THEM IN A POSE BUT WAS GETTING HERSELF WRAPPED UP IN THE LEASHES. THE DOGS WERE CONFUSED AND EVEN LOOKING THE WRONG WAY INTO THE TARPAULIN. FINALLY, I OFFERED TO ASSIST IN PLACING THE DOGS, FOR WHICH SHE WAS HAPPY. WHEN I HAD THE DOGS READY FOR THE FIRST SHOT AND GAVE THEN A STAY COMMAND, ALL SEEMED LIKE IT MIGHT WORK OUT JUST FINE. SHE GOT UNDER THE HOOD AND SNAPPED OFF THE FIRST SHOT. THE FLASH WAS THOMAS'S CUE TO JUMP UP, RUN IN CIRCLES, BARK AND NIP AT Tuņia. THE HARDWOOD FLOOR MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR TOM TO MANEUVER AROUND Tuņia SO HE TOOK SHORT, CHOPPY STEPS TO KEEP HIS FOOTING. Tuņia WASTED NO TIME IN LETTING HIM KNOW SHE WAS NOT AMUSED BY HIS SHENANIGANS AND NOBODY'S FOOL, CERTAINLY NOT HIS. THE BARKING HAD TO BE HEARD IN THE MALL, I THOUGHT. SEVEN OR EIGHT TIMES THIS OCCURRED BETWEEN TAKES. WHEN NEITHER THE PHOTOGRAPHER NOR Tuņia COULD STAND ANOTHER EPISODE FROM THOMAS, THE SESSION ENDED. WHEN THE PROOFS WERE READY I WENT WITH THE KIDS TO THE MALL TO PICK THEM UP. THE DOGS REMAINED IN THE TRUCK AS I WENT IN ALONE TO GET THE SHEET. THE GIRL WAS COMPOSED BY NOW AND EVEN ASKED PLEASANTLY ABOUT THE DOGS. I SAID THEY WERE FINE AND OUTSIDE IF SHE WANTED TO SEE THEM OR DO SOME RETAKES. SHE DECLINED. THE PROOFS REVEALED THAT THOMAS HAD ACTUALLY ANTICIPATED THE FLASH ABOUT HALF THE TIME AND WAS IN MOTION FOR THE LENS OPENING. LINDA, WAS AMAZED AND ASKED WHY I DID NOT CONTROL HIM BETTER. WE SETTLED ON ONE OF TWO HALF WAY DECENT SHOTS AND ORDERED ENLARGEMENTS AND WALLET SIZED PHOTOS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Tuņia WAS RADIANT AND SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND THAT HOLLYWOOD MAY SEE AND WANT HER UPON SEEING HER PORTFOLIO. THOMAS, ON THE OTHER HAND, ALWAYS THE CLOWN, HELD HIS HEAD PROUDLY ERECT AND ALERT. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH HIM WAS HIS LIP WAS SNAGGED ON HIS LOWER TEETH GIVING HIM A VERY TOOTHY APPEARANCE. THE 24 STATES THOMAS WAS IN WITH ME THERE ARE DOGS WHO LOGGED MORE MILES AND PLACES VISITED THAN THOMAS, I AM SURE, BUT I MENTION THIS BECAUSE HE WAS MY CONSTANT COMPANION. WE MADE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO TRAVEL ACROSS COUNTRY BY TRUCK RATHER THAN FLY BECAUSE THOMAS HAD EPILEPSY AND COULD NOT BE SEDATED FOR FLYING. WITHOUT SEDATION, I AM SURE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO FRIGHTENED TO BE PENNED FOR A FLIGHT. WE FEARED THIS TRAUMA MIGHT BRING ON A SEIZURE. SO HERE ARE THE STATES HE EITHER PASSED THROUGH, LIVED IN, OR VISITED LONG ENOUGH TO AT LEAST LEAVE HIS SCENT: ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, TEXAS, ARKANSAS, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, LOUISIANA, ALABAMA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, ILLINOIS, UTAH, IDAHO, WYOMING, SOUTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, INDIANA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK AND MASSACHUSETTS. AS MENTIONED, MANY OF THESE STATES YIELDED FOND MEMORIES OF SCENERY, CREEKS, EXPLORING, AND CAMPING. ANY PLACE NEW WAS AN ADVENTURE FOR THOMAS. I WONDER IF HE VISITED OTHERS STATES BECAUSE WE ALWAYS THOUGHT HE MUST BE FROM A COLDER CLIMATE THAN WHERE WE FOUND HIM. ANY NORTHERN AND SNOWY REGION WOULD HAVE SUITED HIM FINE. TECHNICALLY THERE IS ONE MORE STATE HE CROSSED INTO. WE TOOK THE CAPE MAY- LEWIS, DELAWARE FERRY ONE DAY FROM NEW JERSEY AND DOCKED IN DELAWARE. WE HEARD THE FERRY LINE WAS CIVILIZED AND DOGS WERE ALLOWED ON BOARD. DOGS COULD WALK AROUND MOST DECKS. SO, WE PLANNED THIS EXCURSION AS "WALK-ON" PASSENGERS. THE DAY WE WENT WAS VERY HOT AND HUMID BUT IN THE MOUTH OF DELAWARE BAY, THE AIR WAS COOL WITH A SALTY, SEA ODOR. WE EXPECTED THE DOGS WOULD LOVE THE NEW SMELLS AND THE BREEZE. WE WATCHED SEA GULLS AND EVEN DOLPHIN BUT THE DOGS WERE NOT OVERLY IMPRESSED. ON THE DELAWARE SIDE WE WATCHED THE UNLOADING AND LOADING ACTIVITY. THEN WE RESUMED OUR OUTDOOR SEATS AND RETURNED TO THE NEW JERSEY SIDE WITHOUT DEBARKING THE FERRY. SINCE WE NEVER SET FOOT ON DRY LAND AND I AM CERTAIN THOMAS DID NOT LEAVE HIS SCENT, I DID NOT INCLUDE DELAWARE IN THE LIST OF VISITED PLACES. MORE MEMORIES OF THOMAS THE ILLUSION THAT I HELPED THOMAS IS INCORRECT. IT WAS MORE HE HELPED ME AND WAS MY GUARDIAN ANGEL. HE WAS LOANED TO ME FOR A TIME BUT HAD TO LEAVE WHEN MY WORK LIFE WAS STABLE. HE EVEN ROAD TO BOEING WITH ME TO DROP OFF A RESUME, THE ONE-IN-FOUR RESUMES I SUBMITTED THAT ACTUALLY GOT THROUGH TO THE MANAGER THAT HIRED ME. HE ENJOYED GOING OVER THE COMMODORE BARRY BRIDGE IN THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. NOT ALWAYS HAPPY IN HIGH PLACES, HE SEEMED TO ENJOY THE VIEW FROM THIS BRIDGE. LOOKING UP RIVER HE PROBABLY SAW BOEING AND INTERCEDED IN MY BEHALF. I OFTEN FEEL HIS PRESENCE AND PRAY TO HIM WHEN I NEED HELP - AND IT WORKS! THOMAS WAS COURAGEOUS. WHETHER FACING DANGER FROM A FORMIDABLE OPPONENT IN DUGAN, PROTECTING THE HOUSE, TRUCK AND US; THOMAS WAS FEARLESS IN PROTECTING HIS INTERESTS. TOM ADMONISHED ME FOR CRYING THE LAST WEEK AND THE LAST MORNING, HE WAS PREPARED AND KNEW HE WAS GOING TO HEAVEN. THE HOLY GHOST CAME TO ME TO SAY HIS LAST KISS MEANT THE ANGLES WERE WAITING, HE WAS OK AND GOING TO HEAVEN, WE WOULD MEET AGAIN. AFTER ALL, A DOG IS ON LOAN TO US AND WHEN HE HAS IMPORTANT WORK ELSEWHERE, HE MUST GO. BUT ANY DOG SO WONDERFUL AS THOMAS COULD NOT JUST END WITH DEATH. IT WOULD BE A WASTE. HE LIVES ON IN SPIRIT. WHEN I PRAYED FOR ASSURANCE AND RECEIVED A VISIT FROM THE HOLY GHOST AND THOMAS, I WAS TOLD THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY VISIT AND THAT I HAD TO HAVE FAITH THAT IT REALLY HAPPENED, THAT THOMAS WAS IN HEAVEN, THAT HE WAS HEALED, THAT HE IS HAPPY AND WAITING FOR ME. FIRST FALL WITHOUT THOMAS THOMAS LOVED THE FALL SEASON IN THE EAST. THE WEATHER WAS CHANGING TO A TEMPERATURE MORE COMFORTABLE AND LESS HUMID FOR HIM. HE LOVE THE LEAVES OF FALL TOO. THE MORE THE MERRIER. ON A WALK IN THE PARK OR THROUGH THE WOODS IN SPINNERSTOWN, HE LOVED TO HEAR THE CRISP SOUND OF THE LEAVES AS HE SHUFFLED THROUGH THEM. WHEN THEY WERE RAKED INTO CHEST DEEP PILES HE WOULD PLOW THROUGH THEM TO HEAR AND SCATTER THEM. THE IMPATIENS ARE PASSED, HIT BY FROST THAT ONLY OCCURRED ONCE AND FOLLOWED BY SPRING-LIKE CONDITIONS INTO DECEMBER, THAT TOM POSED IN FRONT OF ON HIS LAST MORNING. THE LEAVES HAVE BEEN FALLING FOR A FEW WEEKS. THOMAS IS MISSING FROM THE PILES IN THE YARD AND AT THE CURB BUT Tuņia HAS TAKEN OVER FOR THOMAS IN ONE ASPECT. WHEN SHE GOES FOR A WALK SHE IS PLOWING THROUGH THE LEAVES PILED AT THE CURB. SHE SEEMS TO LIKE THE SOUND FROM WALKING THROUGH CHEST DEEP LEAVES. SHE ALSO LIKES TO CHECK THE LEAVES FOR SMELLS AND LEAVES SOMETHING FOR THE NEXT DOG TO INVESTIGATE. THE LITTLE BOY IN THOMAS LIKED LEAVES AS A SIMPLE PLAY THING. Tuņia, ON THE OTHER HAND, HAS FOUND LEAVES CAN BE A PLACE OF SCENT WHICH THE WOLF IN HER LIKES TO CHECK. First Christmas Thomas Missed Tis the season to be jolly, But for me no joy of Christmas, Not enough time dims memory, As this was hoped could be his last. Last year was not how it should be Too weak to move, too ill to care, With bones wrapped beneath the tree No enthusiasm, no child-like flare. Now I remain and have regret For the walk that hastened his end, That final time we kissed I shan't forget, When lyme meant life could not extend. And did I rush to judgement day What later could have come to pass? The Angles wouldst I could delay, Perhaps to have one last Christmas. Faith assures me that you still live. Wait for me, as you always did. I will come when called, if deserve, But, unlike you, my case is not assured. Now I see why some look forward, And do not despair at deaths call, For our reunion will be shared, As before, but now for time eternal. Buster Buster is new to our lives since November of 1998. We selected him from the animal orphanage. Actually, Linda picked a few dogs for me to choose from but there was no doubt after seeing Buster. He is black and silver, very thin, but the same weight as Tuņia, 53 pounds. He has a high, squeaky voice when he howls. Yes, we can get him to sing along with us just like Thomas. He is very affectionate but cowers easily and often. He has long legs and runs very fast. He and Tuņia get along very well. He annoys her but she stands up for her rights and he is gentle with her. Buster was hit by a car in early February, 1999. He looked alright and both the emergency clinic and Buster's regular doctor could not find anything wrong. But, for nearly a week he could not hold food down in his stomach. As thin as he was, he lost eight pounds and was a very sick boy when I took him to the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital (UPVH). After an ultrasound test it was determined his kidney was leaking and needed to be removed. That same night he went into Penn, he was operated on successfully. The next morning I visited him on my way to work and he was much better, eating, no blood in the urine, and happy to see me. So far everything is fine two weeks after the surgery. He goes back to the university next week for a culture to be sure there is no infection. The incision is at least a foot long but has no sign of infection. We a very lucky. The UPVH is a superb facility with capabilities that rival human hospitals. The student and medical staff, albeit very young, are dedicated, enthused and top notch. Now Buster and I have the same alma mater. I prayed hard for his recovery and asked Thomas to intercede. Again, I felt his presence and I am sure Thomas was instrumental in us selecting Buster and helping in his recovery. Buster is another story. I often think I should keep a diary rather than rely upon memory. It would be better than miss a memorable moment. But, Linda and I frequently recall memories of our dogs, both good and bad so the vital ones are hardly forgotten. A diary is something I should have done for Thomas and my Vietnam experiences. Now I try to recall the former and forget the latter. Buster has the sort of winning personality worthy of writing and retaining. THOMAS' INFLUENCE Friends share an illusion that I helped Thomas. It was more that he helped me and was my guardian angel. He was loaned to me for a time but had to leave me when my work life was stable. He even rode to Boeing with me to drop off a resume, the one in four resumes I submitted that actually got through to the manager that hired me. He enjoyed going over the Commodore Barry Bridge while riding in the cab of the truck. Not always happy in high places, he seemed to enjoy the view from this bridge. I feel his presence and pray to him when I need help, and it works! THE WORST WEEK OF MY LIFE WE KNEW FOR SOME TIME THAT THE END WAS COMING. TOM'S BACK WAS PERMANENTLY SWAYED. WHEN URINATING HE WOULD NEARLY FALL. OFTEN A FRONT PAW WOULD COLLAPSE UNDER HIM. HE NEVER SEEMED TO MIND OR HURT, THOUGH. HE WAS NOT THE ROBUST THOMAS WE REMEMBERED. NO LONGER WOULD HE PLAY TUG-OF-WAR WITH Tuņia. AT THE MENTION OF "SQUIRREL" HE WOULD GET UP AS MUCH SPEED AS POSSIBLE AND TRUNDLE ACROSS THE FRONT YARD. I ALWAYS PRASIED HIM FOR THE ATTEMPTS AND SAID, "YOU WILL CATCH THEM IN YOUR DREAMS, AND HAPPY DREAMS THEY WILL BE, LOVER BOY." HE WOULD LAY ON THE LIVINGROOM RUG AND BARK AT ME PLAYING WITH Tuņia BUT HE PREFERRED NOT TO PARTICPATE. HE COULD SING SO WE DID THAT WITH HIM. AND HE COULD STILL CATCH TREATS WITH THE BEST OF THEM. AS LONG AS HE WASN'T IN PAIN AND SEEMED RELATIVELY HAPPY WE DEEMED IT TOO EARLY TO CONSIDER EUTHANASIA. THOMAS ONLY HAD ONE PROBLEM - HIS SPINAL CORD, ALBEIT A MAJOR PROBLEM. THE LAST FEW MONTHS HE COULD ALMOST NEVER GET UP BY HIMSELF. WORKING EVENINGS I WAS AROUND TO HELP HIM IN THE MORNINGS AND LINDA IN THE EVENINGS WITH A FEW HOURS A DAY WHERE HE HAD TO MANAGE FOR HIMSELF. THUS, HE HAD A DOGGIE DOOR WHICH HE WAS RARELY ABLE TO USE ANYMORE. WHAT CONCERNED US WAS THAT HE WOULD GET OUT AND NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN INDOORS IF IT WAS RAINING OR HOT. THIS LAST WEEK WAS ESPECIALLY HOT AND HUMID, TOO. THE TEMPERATURE BUILT UP AS THE WEEK PROGRESSED TO NEARLY 100 DEGREES AND VERY HIGH HUMIDITY. IF WE CAME HOME AND FOUND HIM DEAD OUTSIDE WE NOT HAVE FORGIVEN OURSELVES. THOMAS HAD A LOW TOLERANCE TO HEAT. FOR HIM, THE COOLER THE BETTER. ASIDE FROM HIS DEGENERATIVE SPINAL MALEDY, EVERYTHING ELSE WORKED FINE. HIS EYES WERE BRIGHT AND CLEAR. HE COULD HEAR A PIN DROP. HIS COAT WAS BEAUTIFUL, ALBIET HE WAS SHOWING MORE AND MORE GRAY IN THAT BEAUTIFUL BLACK MUZZLE AND EYEBROWS. HIS APPETITE NEVER WAVERED. FROM DAY ONE AND EVERDAY HE WAS WITH US, HE ATE WITH GUSTO. HE LOVED TO EAT. HE ALWAYS ATE HIS ENTIRE PORTION IN SHORT ORDER AND THEN LOOKED TO SEE IF Tuņia LEFT ANY UNEATEN FOOD. HE WOULD AT LEAST GIVE HER BOWL A FEW LICKS TO FINISH CLEANING IT PROPERLY. THEN HE DRANK A LARGE VOLUME OF WATER. THIS WAS HIS ROUTINE AND IT WAS PERFORMED WITH LOTS OF NOISE, SPATTERING OF THE SURROUNDING AREA AND ALWAYS CONCLUDED WITH A BELCH. WHEN I AWOKE ON SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 18, 1998 TO THE SMELL OF FRESH FECAL DEPOSIT, I INDICATED THIS WAS THE SIGN WE DREADED. IT CLEANED RIGHT UP AND HE DID NOT SEEM OVERLY EMBARRASSED. WE TALKED ABOUT IT AMONGST OURSELVES AND DECIDED TO CALL THE VETERINARIAN ON MONDAY. WITH NO FURTHER ACCIDENTS I PROCRASTINATED ABOUT CALLING. BESIDES, I STARTED A HOME PROJECT OVER THE WEEKEND AND IT WAS NOT QUITE RIGHT. I WANTED TO WORK FURTHER THE FIX A LEAKING PIPE I HAD SOLDERED. TUESDAY WAS ANOTHER ACCIDENT WHICH CLEANED UP EASILY AND DID NOT OVERLY CONCERN THOMAS OR US. BUT I DID PLACE THE CALL, LEFT A MESSAGE AND WAITED FOR A REPLY. THE PAIN STARTTED FOR BOTH LINDA AND ME ON SATURDAY. BOUGHTS OF UNCONTRIOLLABLE CRYING WOULD COME OVER ME. THE THOUGHT OF LOSING HIM WAS DEVASTATING. LINDA RECEIVED THE RETURN CALL AND WAS PLANNING EITHER WEDNESDAY OR SATURDAY TO PUT THOMAS TO SLEEP. I WAS GRIPPED WITH PANIC AT THE THOUGHT OF WEDNESDAY. IT WAS TOO SOON. I HAD TO DO MORE THINGS WITH HIM. I WANTED TO LAVISH HIM WITH TREATS, RAWHIDE BONES AND ICE CREAM UP UNTIL THE END. SO, SATURDAY WAS SELECTED. ANOTHER THING I ALWAYS PLANNED TO DO WAS PREPARE HIM FOR BURIAL NAVAJO INDIAN STYLE. IN THIS WAY A LOVED ONE WASHES THE BODY AND HAIR. THE HAIR CONDITIONED WITH YUCCA JUICE AND IS COMBED DRY. THE BODY IS PREPARED IN FINE ATTIRE. LINDA THOUGHT CREAMATION APPROPRIATE FOR A COUPLE REASONS. ONE, WE BOTH WANT TO BE CREMATED. I REQUESTED THAT LINDA TAKE MY ASHES TO MY FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD, THE GRAND CANYON. SO, SINCE WE ARE NOT COMMITTED TO THIS AREA, SHE DID NOT THINK HE SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND. WE DID NOT WANT Tuņia TO VIEW TOM IN DEATH EITHER. DOGS MOURN TOO AND FEEL GRIEF. I RELENTED BUT PERFORMED A MODIFIED BURIAL PREPARATION - PRIOR TO HIS DEMISE. I BATHED HIM THOROUGHLY BUT GENTLY, AND OF COURSE, AS LOVING AS I COULD. WE TALKED SOFTLY THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. I WASHED HIM IN THE LAWN AND ROLLED HIM FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I BROUGHT OUT A PAIL OF WARM WATER AND USED IT RATHER THAN OUR COLD WELL WATER OUT OF THE GARDEN HOSE. I CAREFULLUY CLEANED HIS FACE, THOSE DISTINCTIVE CHIM WHISKERS, HIS EARS AND HIS ENTIRE BODY. HE WAS GIVEN TREATS AND I WAS REWARDED WITH KISSES, AS ONLY I RECEIVED THOMAS KISSES. UNFORTUNATELY, POOR THOMAS WAS NOT ABLE TO RELIEVE HIMSELF DURING MY MORNING TIME WITH HIM. SO, WHEN I LEFT NEAR NOON ON THURSDAY HE HAD NOT HAD ANY BOWEL MOVEMENT. IT CAME LATER BUT NOT BEFORE HE MANAGED TO GO OUTSIDE VIA THE DOGGIE DOOR. HE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF IT WHEN LINDA RETURNED HIM. SHE GAVE HIM ANOTHER BATH AND HE REMAINED CLEAN TO THE END. EACH NIGHT I RODE HOME LISTENING TO THE RADIO BUT NOT REALLY HEARING. I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN WAVES OF CRYING. WHO COULD NOT CRY OVER SUCH AN AFFECTIONATE, DEVOTED, LOVING AND GENTLE CREATURE. FRIDAY CAME WITH A REPETITION OF RUBBING, HUGGING, KISSING, TREATS, BONES AND ICE CREAM. WE ALL RETIRED AROUND 11:30 PM. I WAS AVERAGING ONLY TWO HOURS SLEEP THE PAST FEW NIGHTS SO I TOOK A MILD SLEEPING PILL TO HELP. AFTER ONE HOUR I WOKE TO SOME NOISE. I HAD ANOTHER CRY IN THE LAVATORY DOWNSTAIRS, WHICH WOKE LINDA. THE REST OF THE NIGHT WAS REALLY A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. I LAYED NEXT TO TOM AT THE FOOT OF THE BED AND LIGHTLY RUBBED HIS CHEST ALL NIGHT. HE STRETCHED OCCASIONALLY BUT OTHERWISE IT WAS A VERY RESTFUL AND PEACEFUL SLEEP FOR HIM. HE BREATHED VERY SLOWLY, QUIETLY AND RYTHMICALLY. I FELT HIS STRONG HEART BEAT. OUT OF THE BEDROOM WINDOWS I WATCHED AS GRAY TURNED TO LIGHT ON SATURADY MORNING. THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE I SHOWERED FIRST. THEN LINDA GOT UP AND SHOWERED. BY NOW THOMAS AND I WERE ON THE FRONT PORCH, AS HAD BECOME OUR WEEKDAY RITUAL, ME WITH COFFEE AND NEWSPAPER, THOMAS AT MY RIGHT SIDE WITH CHIN ON PAWS. AFTER A CUP OF COFFEE I ASKED TOM IF HE WANTED TO EAT. THE PHRASE, "DADDY FIX YOUR MEAL," PERKED HIM UP SO I HELPED HIM RAISE UP ON ALL FOURS, I BEGAN TO CRY BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE HIS LAST MEAL. I PREPARED BOTH TOM'S AND Tuņia's LIKE ALWAYS. IT WAS NOTHING DIFFERENT, THEIR USUAL DRY MIX, A COUPLE SPOONS OF CANNED MEAT, TOM'S ANTISIESURE POTASSIUM BROMIDE, METAMUCIL FOR EACH DOG AND WATER WARMED IN THE MICROWAVE. EXTRA GOODIES WOULD COME LATER. I LOADED MY POCKETS WITH MAROBONES. SO I WOULD NOT FORGET I MADE A LIST OF IMPORTANT THINGS I WANTED TO DO FOR THOMAS ON HIS LAST DAY. I ASKED LINDA TO GET THE CAMERA AND TAKE PICTURES OF US. THERE WAS THOMAS AND PAPA. THEN LINDA CAPTURED THOMAS, Tuņia AND PAPA. I TOOK A PHOTOGRAPH OF LINDA AND THE KIDS. AFTER SEVERAL MORE OF THOMAS AND DAD WITH THE IMPATIENTS BEDDING FOR A BACKGROUND, THE CAMERA WAS EMPTY. WE EVEN GOT THOMAS KISSING DAD AND SINGING WITH DAD. WE FINISHED IN THE FRONT YARD WITH ME FINDING AND SNIPPING OFF JUST THE RIGHT GRASS FOR GOOBER TO MUNCH. I ENCOURAGED THOMAS TO RELIEVE HIMSELF. HE WAS SUCCESSFUL. IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE. THE TRIP WOULD BE A CIRRIPITOUS ROUTE THROUGH SOUTH JERSEY PEACH ORCHARDS AND FARMS IN ORDER TO TAKE THOMAS PAST COWS AND HORSES. LINDA AND THOMAS SAT IN THE BACK SEAT. SOFT CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYED, THE SUN WAS SHINING, THE HEATWAVE OF THE PAST WEEK WAS OVER AND THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN. EVEN WHEN COWS OR HORSE WERE NOT SPOTTED, THOMAS GAINED AN OFFACTORY DELIGHT FROM THE FIELDS. AS LINDA RUBBED HIM AND COOED IN HIS HEAR, HE WOULD RAISE HIS HEAD TO SOME SMELL. WE MADE A STOP NEAR TWO HORSES STANDING CLOSE TO THE ROAD BEHIND A WIRE FENCE. THOMAS BECAME VOCAL AND INFORMED THEM OF OUR PRESENCE, SINCE THEY FACED AWAY FROM US AND CONTINUED TO EAT GRASS AT THEIR FEET. THEIR REACTION WAS TO TURN THEIR HEADS FOR A LONG LOOK BUT NOTHING MORE. TIME TO MOVE ON. SOME DISTANT COWS WERE NEXT FOR TOM TO BARK AT. LIKE THE PREVIOUS HORSES TOM BARKED AND THEY WATCHED BUT DID NOT APPROACH. IN THE PAST HIS LOUD SQUEALS WOULD BE LIKE ENCHANTING SINGING TO THEIR EARS WHICH BECCONED THEM TO COME NEAR. TODAY IT WAS JUST A DOG BARKING AND PROMPTED NO INTEREST. HE WAS OUT OF PRACTICE IN COW CALLS. ONWARD WE PRESSED TO THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THEN THE OLD ROUTE 130. THE OFFICE CAME QUITE SOON. I FOUND I WAS THE WRONG TIME IN MY MIND FOR THE APPOINTMENT SO LINDA WENT IN TO LET THEM KNOW WE WERE GIVING THOMAS A WALK IN THE GRASSY FIELD FOR ONE LAST TIME. THERE WAS PLENTY OF THE RIGHT KIND OF INDIAN GRASS, AND VERY LONG, TOO, FOR TOM TO FORAGE ON. LINDA CAME BACK TO LET US KNOW WWE COULD WAIT AND THEY WOULD CALL FOR US. LINDA, TOM AND I SAT NEAR SOME EDIBLE GRASS. TOM FEASTED AND THEN WE DECIDED TO LOOK FOR MORE GRASS. WE WALKEDAS FAR AS THE FIELD WENT AND RETURNED TO WHERE LINDA REMAINED SEATED. I SAT DOWN AND AS THOMAS APPROACHED HE MUST HAVE BEEN IN DEAP THOUGHT. HE WAS LOOKING TOWARD THE STREET, TURNED TOWARDS ME AND OUT OF THE CORNER OF HIS EYE HE NOTICED LINDA, WHO HE ALMOST BUMPED INTO BECAUSE HE WAS THAT CLOSE TO HER. HE TURNED TO HER WITH A STARTLED EXPRESSION THAT LOOKED LIKE HE HAD JUST ME DRACULA ON A MOON-LIT NIGHT. WE BOTH SAW THE LAST COMIC REACTION FROM A WONDERFUL PERSONALITY. WE WONDERED WHAT HE WAS THINKING THAT MADE HIM FORGET WE WERE NEARBY AND THEN BE SCARED MOMENTARILY BY HIS MOM. THREE MONTHS AFTER THOMAS'S DEATH IT HURTS ME AS MUCH AS THE DAY HE DIED. THINKING OF HIM FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES WILL BRING TEARS TO MY EYES. WHEN I SPEAK OF HIM MY VOICE BECOMES CHOKED BEFORE I FINISH A SENTENCE. I FEEL I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS MY LOSS. LINDA DOES NOT SEEM TO KNOW THE EXTENT OF MY GRIEF. I WAS CLOSER TO HIM THAN ANYONE SO THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED. LINDA WANTS TO GET ANOTHER DOG AND SO DO I BUT I KNOW THERE WILL BE NO COMPARISON. THERE WAS ONLY ONE DOG ALONG THOMAS ROAD FOR ME IN THIS LIFE. I PRAY I CAN BE WORTHY OF GOING TO HEAVEN WITH HIM SOME DAY. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO DIE WHEN THE ONES THEY LOVE ARE WAITING FOR THEM IN THE NEXT LIFE. THOMAS TAUGHT ME FAITH. A SPIRITUAL VISITOR TOLD ME HE WAS OKAY NOW AND IN HEAVEN AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO HAVE FAITH BECAUSE THIS WAS A ONE-TIME VISIT. FROM THAT TIME ON I HAD TO RELY ON FAITH FOR REASSURANCE THAT HE IS HEALED, HAPPY, AND WAITING FOR ME. WHEN I ENCOUNTER A DIFFICULT JOB OR SITUATION I PRAY FOR HIS PRESENCE AND HELP. AMAZINGLY, I STILL FEEL HIS PRESENCE AND RECEIVE HELP FROM MY GUARDIAN ANGEL, IN THE FORM OF THOMAS. THE POEM OF W. H. AUDEN EXPRESSES MY FEELINGS BEST. Funeral Blues Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the morners come. Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead, Put crepe bows round the necks of the public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. He was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest, My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong. The stars are not wanted now; put out every one, Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun, Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood; For nothing now can ever come to any good. IRONICALLY HE MENTIONS A DOG WHEN MY FEELINGS ARE FOR A DOG. I THINK THOMAS WAS MY GUARDIAN ANGEL SENT BY THE HOLY GHOST. THOMAS MIRRORED GOD, WAS TOTALLY LOVING, FORGIVING, DEVOTED, BRAVE, AND MAYBE THAT IS WHY "DOG" IS "GOD" SPELLED IN REVERSE. THE ONLY THING I DO NOT AGREE WITH IN AUDEN'S POEM IS THAT LOVE DOES LAST. THE END OF LIFE ON EARTH DOES NOT MEAN AN END TO LOVE. MY FAITH SAYS WE WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN, IF I AM WORTHY OF HEAVEN. SO, MY GOAL IS TO BE THE PERSON MY DOG THOUGHT I WAS. THIS I PRAY. SUNDAY I AWOKE AND IN MY MIND'S EYE, I SAW THE SCENE OF TOM'S DEATH. MY RESPONSE WAS INSTANTANEOUS AND OVERWHELMING CRYING. AND SO BEGAN MY FIRST DAY WITHOUT MY BEST FRIEND. THE CRYING AT TIMES MADE MY RIBS HURT AND BRATHING DIFFICULT. GUILT, REGRET AND REMORSE RESUMED. LINDA WAS A TREMENDOUS COMFORT AND OFFERED CONSTANT ASSURANCES. Tuņia STILL DID NOT SHOW MUCH REACTION. WE SAT WITH COFFEE AND THE PAPER ON THE FRONT PORCH AND TALKED ABOUT TOM AND HOW HE AFFECTED OUR LIVES. WHAT AN INFLUENCE HE WAS. HE TAUGHT THE MEANING OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND GIVING COMPLETELY TO THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE. WE HAD PROMISED Tuņia A RIDE IN THE TRUCK AND A WALK IN THE PARK. IT WAS TIME TO MAKE GOOD ON THAT PROMISE.

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