The Little Pack

IO, 1998-2010

It was the pleasure of my life and I cherished every time, and my whole world–it begins and ends with you…(Highway 20 Ride, Zac Brown Band)

It is hard to believe that I have had Jackson for 8 years now. As we walked today I couldn’t help but reflect on all the ways we have both grown and changed throughout the years and how in the end, the one thing that has never changed is how much I love him. My heart still sings when I watch him run, and I feel proud every single time he listens to every word I say, sometimes even the ones I don’t say out loud. People we pass always comment on how well-behaved he is. Today I found him heeling (we call that “stay with”) when we were passing a group of people before I ever even asked him. We truly have an amazing connection. There are times I go to the door to call him to come inside and he is already there waiting. There are times that I feel sad and he is right there by my side before that first tear even falls. There are times that I decide to take him for a walk and he begins to celebrate before I even tell him or start to get ready. We know the way the other thinks and I know what we share is the stuff of legend. Think Jack London books and The Journey of Natty Gann. And I am blessed.

Yes, it’s true. We are adding to our little pack. This time in human form. That’s right, I am expecting. My husband and I are very excited! The reactions of our furry ones will be interesting. I am making my predictions as follows: IO won’t care really, Dixie won’t care, Jackson will struggle–he will be very jealous and Cheyenne, well her reaction will be a bit of a wild card. I truly believe that she will think the baby is the most magical thing ever. But I also believe that she will not like that the baby will spend so much time between her and I. And she will not understand why she cannot have my undivided attention whenever she wants it. One thing is for sure, this will be an adventure for all of us.

Just recently chased Cheyenne down the street. In flip flops. Again. But this time, I had Dixie and Jackson with me. And my husband had no awareness of the crisis in progress. But I should back up and explain. Cheyenne always refused to leave the yard even when she was on the leash and did not have her the electric collar on. To take her for a walk in the neighborhood I would have to put her in the car and park on the side of the yard. So, one day I decided to try to leave the yard with her on a leash.  She was very apprehensive, but trusted me and was ecstatic to discover that she was able to leave the yard with me. Since then she been really excited to go for walks with me. Until. The disaster of the other day.

I decided to just take Jack and Dixie and come back for Cheyenne. I thought it would be fine if she stayed in the yard while we went. Unfortunately, because I was leaving the yard she thought the magic of me was in place and proceeded to walk right through the electric fence. I heard it beep, I told her to stay and she walked through it like nothing. Fantastic. She was so amped that I don’t think she even felt the shock. Then it was as though the world was her oyster and she took off down the street, kicking her back legs out straight behind her like a deer. I was calling her and calling and she did not hear me. I had Dixie on the leash and started running, in my flip flops, no phone. Dixie was not keeping up with me. My running seemed to encourage Cheyenne to run faster. I began flashing back to the last time she ran away. By now I was screaming.  Oh and praying. Because as we’ve established I become quite the believer during times of stress. Against all my better instincts, I stopped running. Inside I was completely panicked. I couldn’t believe all the work I have done with was crumbling.

I stopped to see what would happen. She slowed. I think she was just super-excited to be on a walk and be able to be with Jack. I kept screaming her name and telling her to come. I scooped up Dixie and calmly (ha!) walked towards Cheyenne. Somehow I caught her attention and got her to come to me. I put her on Dixie’s leash and carried Dixie back. And thanked God that Dixie is small enough to carry. I took off Cheyenne’s collar and threw it in the yard. My heart was pounding out of my chest, but at least she came to me.

I have been worried that she would leave the yard but I think that she thinks there is some sort of magic that occurs when I escort her out of the yard and she has not tested it. This whole event has given me reason to pause though.

… are my favorite. We sleep in, well, actually, I should clarify. We attempt to sleep in. Like clockwork, Cheyenne and Dixie are ready to roll around 7, sometimes 7:30. We argue over whose turn it is to deal with them, take them out and try to keep sleeping. However. They have other ideas. Before we know it, we are grudgingly getting out of bed, making coffee and trying to wake up. Soon we are drinking coffee, chatting, surfing, and hanging out with the whole pack. Cheyenne and Dixie are in and out, in and out. Dixie is soon woofing for food. Jackson is bringing me a toy. But it is a nice reprieve from the week.