I love hearing boog the chocolate lab tap on deck slider

[TEB]

I was sitting this morning on back porch having my coffee and pipe. Sitting on top step of the deck and I hear tap tap hey man let me out. Illuminated by the Stove light I see a big chocolate face I smile and open the sliding door . After he uses the yard he always lays down next to me as I wrap him up in a old blanket for ear rubs.

I have had some amazing dogs over the years. From growing up as kid in Appalachia through thirty two year’s of marriage. I’ve taken them in as puppies as planned I even stole a dog once it had to be done I cannot stand seeing a dog chained outside.

Once I bought a German shepherd puppy for $20 in Fayetteville North Carolina in a bar parking lot off of these gypsy hippies. When I was stationed in 82nd. That was a impulse purchase as I was severely drunk on a afternoon. After I sobered up in my barracks room I realized uh oh. So I went to my plt sgt I need to talk I have a problem he replied what is it PFC. I bought a dog sgt. And I need leave to get him home to my folks.

My plt sgt said grab the dog dammit and we went to his house it was a quiet ride in his pickup truck. I knew I was ok after I scored case of beer and dog food as I was getting back in the cab my plt sgt was rubbing Ollie belly. So off to his On base housing upon arriving Mrs plt sgt was taken with the puppers cutenesses and he stayed with them until I got him home.

And years later our two oldest daughters still speak fondly of Ollie. They grew up with him he passed in 97. The girls were eleven and eight at that time tell you I got a lot for $20 with Ollie. Several years ago a friend of mine in union I was giving him rides to and from work. And his neighbor had a Newfie pup chained up in yard no food or water. I took him after seeing him like that for two days. He quickly developed Stockholm syndrome and today lives with our one daughter and her husband and his two year old boy.

And boog is a original he came to us free. I was helping a friend who had hip surgery and his wife. Feed their horses stack fire wood and I refused any payment. Several months later they had a new litter of lab pups as they breed them. And our son was young at time maybe five we went to their cookout. And this chocolate lab puppy was following our son around. And my friends said looks like your boy has a dog. I offered them $ 375 they said nope you helped us out he is yours.

And to this day when I see them I tell them beware of free. Free chocolate labs because he is a piece of work a original.

[wendyb-NC]

1. Thanks, for the morning reflection, TEB

You are a wonderful, thoughtful writer. I love the detailed accounts, a contemplative story telling, like all good authors, you take the reader on a journey. Much appreciated in these extraordinary times.

[TEB]

2. Actually I just ramble

Thank You though

[SouthernIrish]

3. Great minds think alike

My mother in law was a caretaker for an elderly couple who had a dog chained in their backyard. It belonged to their son who didn't live there. They weren't able to care for him, and the son sure didn't. She told me, and I had her ask if I could take him. They said yes, but to do it after dark in case the son drove by. That night there was an awful snow storm. I went anyway. This poor dogs collar was embedded in his neck. I unhooked him and he jumped in my backseat. Took him to the Animal Shelter (I knew them personally so they opened it for me). They took the dog to the vet and had him groomed. He got adopted 2 weeks later by a nice family that had other Huskies. I was relieved. I hate chains on animals and there is a law getting ready to be passed that you can't chain an animal more than 12 hours a day. A step in the right direction.

[TEB]

4. Oh southern Irish

You are a beautiful human

[Polly Hennessey]

5. With you guys on our side

there is hope for all of us. Must say, TEB, I love your Boog stories but also love hearing about your Airborne days.

[Phoenix61]

6. What a great read. I'm definitely with you

on the “free” pup. I once found 8 pups in a drainage culvert. Looked to be half lab and half Doberman. Caught them all and sat in front of a grocery store the next day and gave them away. Two little girls on their bikes wanted one and one swore her mom was looking for a puppy for her. I had her call their mom to make sure and she was good with it. So off she went with a puppy in her bicycle basket.

[TEB]

7. Awesome

So cool

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. I love your stories, my dear TEB.

You're a natural-born storyteller.

You bring us right into the story you're telling and we see what you see and hear it too.

Thank you!