A Man’s Best Friend

Animals just make life delightful. Eva and I were at the park this past fall having a picnic, enjoying watching the ducks swim by in the pond, when this man walked by with a white Cockatoo on his shoulder. The bird was almost twenty-five years old. It would carry on a conversation with you if it wasn’t too shy. Eva and I laughed as we enjoyed watching the bird entertain us.

Growing up we always had animals whether it was dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, or horses. Such fun and laughter accompany the work of animals that helps children learn the importance of responsibility.

Missy was our first dog when we were kids and had moved out to the country. She found us. She had been mistreated by her original owners. Mom and Dad made sure she found a loving home at the Stockdale’s. We cherished the years we had her as part of the family. When her time came, our place seemed lonely without her. To fill the void, we got another Golden Retriever and named him Sam.

Sam lived for truck rides. He would sleep in the back of the truck just so he wouldn’t miss Dad cranking up each morning. As a young dog, he could sail over the back end of the truck, then, as he aged, we had to let down the tailgate until finally, at fourteen, he had to be lifted in. I used to tell myself, “One day I will have another dog just like him.”

That day finally came. Chuck and I had purchased our first home and decided it was time to get dogs. Without question, a Golden Retriever was my pick. Samson joined the family wide open from the beginning. Every birthday, he gets one year older and I keep thinking the puppy will grow out of him. Well, he’s five now and there’s been no change. Chuck decided on a German Shepherd, we named him Maximus. He has eyes that will pierce your soul.

The boys are polar opposites and yet, best buddies. Samson is Eva’s play pal like no other, if she makes her famous mudpie soup, Samson will eat it. If she is digging in the dirt, Samson is right beside her digging as well. He matches her step for step. Maximus, although not so much the playmate to Eva, is her fearless protector; always standing guard. I can say “Where’s Eva?” or “Go get her” and he will be hot on her trail.

One day, Eva and I walked outside and met the UPS man glued to the side of his truck. Samson had him pinned; growling and showing teeth while Maximus had him on the other side; his eyes focused on the target. I quickly called off the dogs and apologized, to which the UPS driver responded, “I have been doing this twenty-five years and have learned if there are kids involved the dogs will be very protective.”

Not too long ago, I had taken a leisure stroll around our property by myself. Chuck had Eva in the shop with the boys cashed out beside them. All of the sudden, for some reason I turned to look behind me. Out of nowhere a strange dog was charging straight for me. I froze. I had no weapon of any kind and I was too far from the shop for Chuck to get to me in time. But I knew from my father’s teaching, as a kid, never run. I held my ground and yelled for Chuck. He saw me from the shop and had already told Maximus, “Go get her.” I never took my eyes off this charging dog, but from behind me, I could hear Maximus coming full force. This stray dog was about ten feet from me when Maximus came around my left side, he met the stray in full motion, biting him in the throat and tumbling him to the ground. Seconds later, Samson joined the fight until they sent the stray running for his life.

I have a sly smile I now carry in my back pocket, knowing, in all their mischief and roughhousing, the boys will take names later.

In the late afternoons, I find the best part of my day awaits me. Eva and I have a walk together that we do not miss, no matter the weather. Samson and Maximus, without fail, know what time it is and they stand patiently waiting at the back door. Each walk brings a new experience. Whether it is discovering a new path through the woods or taking old ones. Sometimes it’s watching the dogs tree a squirrel or laughing at Samson dive for rocks that Eva throws in the creek.

After the day is complete and all has quieted down, Samson settles on the front porch by the window, but Maximus, He finds his post at the front door. He rests his head on the door so he can look inside. Where fun and play once were, instinct takes over. He stands guard all night till he hears footsteps in the early morning hours.

I have often been asked, why I refer to them as “The boys?” Actually, it has sentimental attachment for me (imagine that). Growing up, my dad would call the horses in from the back pasture shaking a bucket of oats yelling, “Here boys!” I can still see him standing there and the horses galloping across the creek and up the hill to meet him at the gate; all waiting for their handful of reward.

Snapshots of the past are worth hanging on to. If I look closely around Samson’s eyes, I can see a few gray hairs beginning to shine through. It seems to be a gentle reminder that time doesn’t stand still. Eva doesn’t see value in the past yet, but one day she will.  Eva will grow up and the boys will grow old but the bond of friendship will become a snapshot she never forgets.

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“A righteous man regards the life of his animal…” Proverbs 12:10

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