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.

With a lead-in like that, you know this has to be about Cheyenne. This morning I woke with my neck cranked and aching, head half off the pillow. Not too long after coming to consciousness, the reason why became all too clear. Cheyenne had appropriated my pillow for herself; to sleep on, and slowly but steadily pushed me out of the way. And man was she cozy. Now you have to truly know Cheyenne to understand that there was not even a hint of disobedience or insubordination in this act. She simply stumbled upon this great spot and could not believe her good fortune. Further, I can imagine she was quite amused with herself for never thinking about sleeping in this spot before. It’s funny as long as this is not  a new pattern.

Still snacking on the leftovers on her own face… So my husband and I both forgot about a bag of trash in the garage, until he found her… INSIDE the trash bag… with coffee grounds and noodles on her face.

Cheyenne knows the exact time the mailman comes on Saturday mornings. The last several Saturdays she has been desperate to go outside. When we let her out she sits waiting at the end of the driveway as close to the fenceline as possible. Then, when the mailman drives by, he tosses her a biscuit which she promptly prances off with and buries for later.