Abagaile.......

For those of you who don't know, I am cursed with a tempermental dog. For years she was just stupid....now I know there are those out there who will tell me she was not stupid, she was a) just a puppy, b) misunderstood, c)not trained properly; but really, she excelled at stupid. She could do all tricks you wanted to teach her, but would do things like jump on people, bark incessantly, and on occasion, bite a person, other dog or small creature. No matter how may lessions, offers of advice or dog classes, she just never seemed to "quite get it."

Then one day, she just woke up smart...it's like she decided to grow some grey matter and wise up (I often wonder if she knew she was dangerously close to a long sleep.....). She began to listen, take command, redirect and even, play with us human folk in interesting ways. She would often sneak up on Paul in the dark when he was playing video games and bark; scaring the literal shit right out of him; she would chase and retrieve and even swim.

However, just when we least expect it, she does one of these stupid things again; like biting a small dog at camp. (Okay, the dog was jumping up on her face and trying to hump her leg, but still....) which resulted in a nasty looking eye ....which has me wondering what the hell we did wrong with her....

Then, there are moments just after when things like this happen. I pulled out the kayak, just to paddle about the river and see if any otters/muskrats were about when Abby suddenly starts barking at me like I am on fire...it's this loud, repetitive, anxious bark that does not let up...commands to "stop barking," "that's enough," and "shut the f&^k up!" are falling on deaf Labrador ears. Suddenly without warning, she jumps into the river and begins to swim along side me. At first, I am terrified she is going to tip me over ; as the water is hovering around a chilly 10 C, then, as if she and I connect, she swims beside my kayak, in perfect stride. So close she is between the boat and the paddle, not in the way, but tucked in close. She did this for an hour. All of a sudden, I got it. She was protecting me; making sure I was okay; that nothing was going to harm me with her right there. And I believed her. I became suddenly aware that this creature who ate so many pairs of shoes, destroyed Cd's, ate a phone and has bitten many a creature, would die for me; without hesitation or question. Humans beings are this loyal to one another, let alone another species, even their dog.

All these years, I was trying to teach her how to act; but she already knew. I had to shut the f%^k up myself to hear it.

Love you Abby!