Brad was not only extremely worried, he was furious with Gloria and she knew it. Immediately upon learning that Gloria had let Annie go out the front door and then chased her, he left to go look for the poor dog, himself. Jamie was already out there looking for Annie.

First, Brad walked around the neighborhood, and then he took his truck and combed a wider area. He described Jamie and Annie to everyone he saw, but had no luck finding anyone who had seen them. Twice, he went back to Barbie’s house hoping one or both had come back.

“This just doesn’t make sense, Gloria.” Brad had just returned from his 2nd search. ” Annie is just not the type of dog who would run from someone like you. She’s not the type who would run from anyone, and I can’t imagine where Jamie would have gone. The police won’t look for them until they’ve been missing for at least 24 hours, but I think I’ll call them, anyway. If they see anything nefarious involving a young woman and or a dog, they might remember my call.”

Next, Brad called the ranch to let them know what was going on. He wanted to tell them he would call again when everyone was safe and sound and they were headed back to the ranch. Miss Bessie answered the phone.

“Oh, Brad, that is just the most awful thing. What if they wound up in a bad neighborhood or maybe someone kidnapped them. There are a million bad things that could happen to a poor innocent girl like Jamie and a sweet loving dog like Annie. Why I just heard on the news…”

“Miss Bessie,” Brad felt compelled to interrupt. “Is Steve there? I need him to check out a couple of things for me.”

“As a matter of fact, Dina took Katie and Arf to the river and when it started getting dark, he got concerned so he left to go find them. He hadn’t been gone five minutes when I heard Arf barking at the door. He looked all over for Steve, but like I said, he wasn’t here. I think Arf went to see if Mark is at the Bunkhouse. Land sake, there must be a full moon.”

“Mark isn’t there,” Brad said. “He went out of town to a quarter horse sale. Look, Miss Bessie, I need to get off the phone. Write down Barbie’s number and call us if you hear anything from anyone.”

*****************************

Jamie had gone several blocks when she saw a man dragging a limp Annie towards a car. She was horrified as the man lifted the poor dog onto the backseat. There was another man in the driver’s seat who kept telling the other man to hurry.

Jamie ran to the car and as the man who put Annie in the backseat got into the front with the driver, she jumped into the back with Annie and quickly fell to the floor of the car before anyone even noticed she was in there.

The first thing she did was to check and make sure Annie was alive. Thank God she was breathing peacefully. Jamie’s veterinarian training came into play and she determined Annie had been sedated and would probably be unconscious for another hour. The next thing she was forced to ask herself is why? Why would someone sedate Annie and put her in their car? Jamie decided she would try to go unnoticed for as long as she could. She had no idea what the men’s motives were. Where could they be going and what kind of danger would she be in when they found out she had come along for the ride?

Soon the men began to talk.

“That Gloria is a little on the strange side, but she has never stiffed me. She knows she can trust me, that’s why. ”

“Why does she want you to get rid of a dog?” The other man asked. “She seems like a nice dog to me?”

“As of yesterday, that wasn’t part of her plan. The dog had gone back to where she came from. I guess the brother brought her back again, today. Gloria called me a couple of hours ago and changed things up. She’s having some sort of trouble with that blind lady she takes care of. She’s taking her somewhere else to live and she doesn’t like the dog and the dog hates Gloria. As a matter of fact, Gloria thinks the dog is what do you call it…intuitive, and knows things Gloria doesn’t want her to know.”

“So what are we gonna do, boss? We’re not really going to get rid of the poor intuitive mutt are we?”

Jamie chose that time to pop up in the back seat. Annie was waking up and it was time these fools took them back to where they found them.

“Excuse me,” she said. “I need you to turn this taxi around and take us back to Gloria..I mean Barbie’s house. There are people there who will be worried sick about us and you don’t want to make Brad Humbolt angry.”

For a moment the two flunkies were too surprised to say anything. The “Boss” finally found his voice. “I’m afraid we can’t do that, whoever you are.”

“We’ll take them to that abandoned cabin and leave them until I can figure something out,” he instructed the driver. “It shouldn’t take more than a couple of days.”

When they arrived at the very remote cabin, Jamie tried her best to convince the men not to leave Annie and her there, but they weren’t listening and Annie was still too sedated to do anything but sit there.

“You’ll find bottled water and some dried food in a box. There might even be some potato chips.” With that, the two men got back in the car and left. Jamie was stunned to say the least.

“Brad? What are you doing here?” Gloria was too surprised to hide her displeasure at seeing Brad along with Jamie and that pesky dog, Annie.

“I came to see my sister, may we come in, Gloria?”

“I’m in the kitchen, Brad. Annie has already found me.”

“Excuse us, Gloria,” Brad said as he and Jamie walked past her and into the kitchen. Gloria, however, was not far behind.

“I was about to suggest that Barbie lie down and rest. She has been overdoing it lately, with the trip to see you and all. It’s important for her to keep her strength up.” Gloria was in a state for sure.

“Gloria,” Barbie said. “That is absolute nonsense. I may not be able to see but I’m as healthy as a horse. Brad, Jamie… I just made a pot of coffee. Would you like some?”

Both Jamie and Brad declined. Both were wondering how they could accomplish what they came to do. They needed to make sure Gloria didn’t pose some sort of a threat to Barbie. Annie had gone to great lengths to convince them to go to Barbie, but at this point, they had no idea why. They only knew that Gloria was not a favorite of Annie’s.

Barbie suggested they all go sit on the flower covered patio in the back. For some reason, Gloria didn’t join them.

“I can’t see them, but I can smell their fragrance and it brings back memories of Mom’s flowers. Do you remember her beautiful garden, Brad?”

They had a good time talking about old memories and Jamie was happy to learn more about Brad and what he was like growing up.

“Look at the time,” Brad finally said. “Jamie, we have a long drive home. We need to think about leaving. Where did Annie go? I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“I’ll go find her,” Jamie offered. “She probably found a place to curl up and take a nap.”

Jamie proceeded to look around the house and call for Annie. A couple of minutes later, the front door opened and Gloria walked in.

“I accidentally let Annie out,” she said. “I went chasing after her, but she kept running from me. I’m afraid she has run away.” Gloria’s eyes were cold. Not at all like someone who was upset because a poor dog was missing.

“Go tell Brad what happened,” Jamie said. “I’m going to go look for her. Annie is a smart dog. I’m sure she will find her way back to us.”

over an hour later, neither Annie, nor Jamie had come back. Even Gloria was starting to worry. She had made arrangements for the dog to disappear, but not Jamie.

*********************************************

Katie and Dina were having a great time swimming in the river. Arf was busy chasing his frisbee. A group of boys who were fishing nearby, were taking turns throwing it to him. The day went by far too quickly and when the sun started to set, Dina rounded up her little crew and they all piled into the car.

A car that wouldn’t start.

“It isn’t that far, Mommy,” little Katie said. “I can walk. I’m only a little tired,”

“Oh honey, your’re very sweet but after a day like today, there is no way you could walk that distance and I can’t leave you here alone in the dark, while I go get someone to help us.”

Dina looked around to see if the boys who had been playing with Arf were still there, but it appeared the area was deserted.

While Dina was trying to come up with a plan to get help, Arf started barking and pawing at the door handle.

“He wants out,” Dina said. “I don’t know if I should keep him here to protect us, or let him go and find help.”

In the end, she decided to let him go.

“You’re a very smart dog, Arf. I’m going to write a note and fold it around your collar. Go find us help. Please hurry.”

They came uninvited. They’ve always been rude.

I had just been shopping and bought lots of food.

They asked me to make my very best dishes.

Without thinking, I fulfilled all of their wishes.

I was caught up in the moment. My guard was down.

I had been feeling low and a little run-down.

Maybe a distraction was just what I needed.

Caution thrown to the wind, left warnings unheeded.

It took some time before I could see

What they really wanted from me.

Was it a pound of flesh? That has to be painful.

As a matter of fact, it sounds quite disdainful.

I noticed one day there were now ten of them.

And they were causing all kinds of mayhem.

I took them with me everywhere.

I tried to drop them here and there.

I asked them to go, but they wouldn’t budge.

I finally gave up and made them some fudge.

This is one of those love/hate relationships.

(If I eat those words they’ll go straight to my hips.)

I knew I would do this before the reunion.

But I didn’t think it would happen this soonion.

I just heard the dates have been set.

Should I start my diet? Nah…not yet.

This poem is in jest. I’m sure you won’t care

If I’ve gained ten pounds and have really bad hair.

I’m going to the reunion and I can’t wait.

I hope to see you, so save the date!

*Marilyn Strait is collecting address changes from those who graduated in the 1960’s.

cmstrait@goldenwest.net or phone 669-2808

Check out the MHS/JCHS Facebook page for more information.

Save the Date cards are being sent! If your address has changed in the last 5 years, please message them and include graduation year.

Brad hated to change the plans that he and Jamie had made for the next day. Some time alone with her sounded good to him. They both loved to go horseback riding and they were going to bring a picnic lunch with them.

Unfortunately, he had reason to believe there was something going on with Barbie. She had seemed different the last couple of times he had seen her and for that matter, so had the ever present Gloria.

Brad had been surprised when after emphatically declining his invitation to spend the night at the ranch so they could celebrate their birthday together with his family, they had shown up. He had sent a car for them, but he expected to get a message from the company he had hired telling him the trip had been cancelled by his sister.

Gloria sat there like a fish out of water the entire evening and was anxious to get on the road the next morning. Barbie, however, had lingered. She had a second cup of coffee and visited with Miss Bessie and Grandma Helen who stepped all over each other explaining how it happened they all ended up living with Brad.

“He’s an amazing person,” Grandma Helen said.

Barbie had no doubt that was true. She felt Tom must be cut from the same cloth. She was so happy she had been able to spend some quality time alone with her two brothers. They had just talked about the recent past in their conversations in Brad’s study, but it was nice to have her family together again. Gloria had been livid that she had not been included in the family meeting. She considered herself to be Barbie’s voice as well as her eyes.

&&& I’m going with Brad and Jamie to visit Barbie and Gloria. I guess he wants to know why I brought her picture to him. At least he’s smart enough to be able to figure things out. He knows that I have seen something that isn’t right and he just can’t figure out what it is. I know one thing. Gloria was glad to have me gone. She won’t jump with joy to have me back…even for a day.

“Thanks for being agreeable to leaving so early, Jamie.” Brad said. “It’s about a four hour drive and depending on what the circumstances are, we could be pretty late coming back as it is.”

“No problem…Why do you think Annie brought you Barbie’s picture, Brad? It could be as simple as she misses her and wants to go back to live with Barbie and Gloria.”

At the sound of Gloria’s name, Annie winced. She was sitting in the back seat of Brad’s truck and when Jamie turned to look to see why she had winced, she had to laugh at what she saw.

“Brad…can you sneak a peek without running off the road?” He adjusted his rear view mirror and looked to see Annie covering her eyes with one paw.

“Do you think that she’s doing that in response to hearing Gloria’s name?” Annie winced again. This time it was louder.

“Drive as fast as the speed limit allows, Brad. This dog knows something about Gloria and it can’t be good.”

***************

“Mommy, can Arf and I go to the river? I promise, I won’t go in. Arf does so much for me and today, I would like to do something for him. He just loves swimming in the river. Can we go, Mommy?”

“It’s such a beautiful day, Katie. Would you mind if I tagged along? We’ll take our swimming suits and go to that shallow area on the other side of the bridge. Swimming will be good exercise for all three of us.”

Katie was thrilled that her mommy was coming along and Arf was over the top when he realized they would be spending the day at the river. They took the picnic lunch that Grandma Helen had fixed for Brad and Jamie. All they had to do was add a good bone for Arf and they were all set.

“I know it isn’t that far, but I think we should drive over there. That way we won’t have to bring the wheelchair,” Dina suggested. “Do you think you can walk down the path to the swimming area? You’ll probably be pretty tired from swimming when you walk back up.”

“I can do it, Mommy.” Katie rolled her eyes. “I’m very strong now. I get stronger when Arf and I dance.”

“Of course you do, honey. Now let’s all walk to the car.”

Where is that good bone they promised me?

****************************

“Barbie!”…Gloria was feeling anxious and she had been unable to calm her nerves. “Barbie! are you in the flower garden? She must be…” Gloria surmised. Or maybe she’s not feeling well and she’s lying down. “Barbie! You must answer me!”

Barbie was in the kitchen preparing herself a cup of coffee. She had the faucet on and didn’t hear Gloria at first. 

“Gloria” she answered. “I’m in the kitchen.”

Gloria came bursting through the swinging doors. “What are you doing? You should let me do that. I’m afraid you’ll burn yourself.”

“Why are you so upset, Gloria? I’ve managed to learn a few things over the years in spite of my blindness. In fact, I’ve been thinking, and I’ve made a decision you should know about.”

“Go on,” Gloria responded, warily.

“I was so impressed with that little girl and her dog. You know, the little girl whose family lives with Brad. Her dog’s name is Arf. Isn’t that cute?”

It was a good thing Barbie couldn’t see the look on Gloria’s face.

“Anyway,” Barbie went on. “I just turned thirty-six yesterday and for the past twenty years, I have depended on you for everything when there is so much more I could learn to do for myself. Many blind people live alone and are quite able to care for themselves. I intend to reach out and avail myself to the best occupational therapies out there. What do you think, Gloria?”

Gloria was busy thinking, but not anything she wanted to share with Barbie. She decided it was time to put her own plan into action. She would go along with Barbie’s idea, but she would set it all up. The poor girl was in for a huge disappointment.

The doorbell rang and when Gloria answered, she was so surprised, she was unable to keep the look of chagrin from her face. There stood Brad Humbolt, that girl who was with him at the birthday party, and that blasted dog. 

Annie ran past Gloria and found Barbie in the kitchen.

&&& I had to make sure Barbie was okay. Gloria is not a good person. I heard her outback talking to a man one day when Barbie was resting. They were whispering, but I could hear them. Dogs have keen senses and mine told me those two might harm Barbie. The man said not to worry. When the time came, he would take care of Barbie. He had his ways, and then Gloria gave him an envelope. He reached inside and took out a bunch of money. I could only watch and listen, but like I said, I sense things.

Gloria told the man Barbie had to be convinced that she couldn’t live without her…Ever!

Link to all of the Arf stories…

Murdo Girl …links to complete Arf story

&&& I heard someone call my name. They said they had a job for me, so I went to the kitchen where I knew the caller had to be. It turned out to be Grandma Helen. She’s the red-headed lady. She doesn’t act really eccentric or anything, but her hair is well…frightening.

“Annie, do you know how to bring sacks of groceries from the car to the house? Judging by the way you’re looking at me, I think not. Well, it’s time you learned. Everyone including dogs will have a job. That’s the rule around here. I know it’s true because I just made it a rule.”

&&& I hadn’t had enough direct contact with Katie’s grandma to know where she was coming from so I just sat there and waited for more clues to come my way.

“Come with me, Annie. I’ll show you.” Grandma Helen walked out to the car and opened the trunk. “Come on Annie, it’s easy. These are cloth bags with handles. See you can grab the handle with your teeth and take each bag into the kitchen where I’ll be waiting to lift it up to the counter and put everything away.”

Grandma Helen bent down and grabbed one of the bags with her teeth and with her hands behind her back proceeded to take it to the kitchen.

&&& I sat there and watched her in amazement.

“Cmfnon innee!” Grandma Helen turned to see why I wasn’t coming with her.

&&& I finally came to my senses and went to the trunk and carefully pulled out one of the heavier bags. We both made it to the kitchen with our groceries and I quickly went back to the car and completed my chore in no time. I could tell Grandma Helen was really pleased that she had taught me something so helpful. I couldn’t wait to tell Arf that I got one of those good bones.

Later that evening…

After dinner, Brad went to his study to catch up on some paperwork. He wanted to clear tomorrow so he could enjoy his time with Jamie. He had been working about an hour when Annie came into the room.

“Annie…did you come to watch the squirrels from the window like Arf does?” Brad got up and walked around his desk. “What is that you have in your mouth, Annie?”

Annie dropped a framed picture upside down on the floor, sat down beside it and whined. When Brad didn’t react, she took her paw and gently pushed on one side of the frame. Brad could see she was trying to turn it over so he could see who was in the photograph. He leaned down and turned the picture face up.

“This is a picture of Barbie. It’s the one that sits on the buffet in the great room. Why did you bring this to me, Annie?”

&&& I was trying to get him to understand that Barbie needed him. I had this sense that he should go to her and I wanted him to know that, but all I could do was look at him, and whine.

“You’re worried about Barbie aren’t you Annie?” Brad got up and walked around his desk and picked up the phone. “I am too,” he said. “I’m going to call Jamie right now and ask her if she would mind if we changed out plans for tomorrow. I want her to come with me to see Barbie…and Gloria of course.”

Gloria watched Barbie through the French doors that led to the backyard. She noted that Barbie had seemed restless since they returned from the ranch. It was almost as if their life in the little bungalow wasn’t enough for her anymore. The thought panicked Gloria. She must watch the situation closely. It wouldn’t do to ignore any signs that could lead to trouble. She had given too much of her life to care for Barbie. She wasn’t about to let anything happen to change things now.

******************************

***  Arf is talking

&&&  Annie is talking

The link with all of links to each story is up to date if you would like to go back and refer to any of them.

Murdo Girl …links to complete Arf story

 

 

Some of you newer readers don’t know that over the years, Queen Elizabeth has become a big Murdo Girl blog favorite. She was part of the Brick House gang and on several occasions, has flown across the pond with Windy Berg and Airy Heart just to spend time with us. On many of those times together, we have critiqued her attire (or made rude comments…whatever you want to call it.)

Below, is just one person’s opinion of some of Queen E’s faves. Several pictures are just one person’s opinion of what a snapshot in the life of a Queen looks like…

Let’s face it. We all have challenges raising our little princes.

“Charles! Caugh into your elbow. Where is your mask? Do you call this six feet? You wear me out, Charles!!”

I hope Philip doesn’t notice I took his throw from the couch. It’s always colder than a nude Nellie’s navel on a November night in Norway in here.

Excuse me…Have you seen my husband? He’s wearing a red coat and an adorable Captain Jack Tricorn hat.

Someone sat on my hat and squished it. Next thing I know, it’s the new rage…I’m stylin’

Not even close, Cam…

Is that a giant squid?

Achieve The Clarity You Deserve. Accurate Readings Available All Day At $1/Min! Communicate With Passed Loved Ones & Find Closure. $1/Min For 1st Time Callers! Know Your Future. Verified, Real Psychic. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Take Control Today.

Before cataract surgery…or…Come on Mom, King me!

This is my sunrise/sunset dress.

I learned how to make bows and it changed my life…

***I hope everyone had a great Father’s Day weekend!

***I only partially faked being sick. A broken heart counts, right? Annie didn’t want to go live with Barbie and Gloria and I sure didn’t want her to go. It wasn’t like we were being mean to Barbie. She wasn’t attached, yet. It hadn’t been long enough and Brad said he was going to get her another dog. Who ever heard of a ranch with only one dog, anyway? I wouldn’t even mind if we had a cat or two…wait! what am I saying? no cats. There are cats over at Jamie’s farm and we never have made friends.

******************************

Gloria had spent over half of her life taking care of Barbie. She had assumed that it would always be that way. She would always be Barbie’s companion.

Over the years, Brad had, for the most part, left Barbie and Gloria to their own little life in the beautiful little bungalow. Gloria had been with Barbie since the day she came home from the hospital where she spent five years having multiple surgeries between long stretches of healing. Her beautiful eyes would never see again, but that was a small price to pay. She might not look as she had before the fire, but she was indeed beautiful.

In Gloria’s opinion, Brad had become a little pushy as of late. He wanted Barbie to get out more and do things with the hodgepodge of people he had living on that magnificent ranch of his. Gloria couldn’t believe that she had agreed to spend the night there. And then there was the younger brother, Tom. Apparently he had just become a part of the fold, too. Gloria had more to learn, but she was determined that her life with Barbie would not change. They had always managed on their own and she, Gloria, was the only one Barbie needed to care for her.

************************************************

Brad and Jamie were in Brad’s study. They were both looking out the window Arf liked to sit by and watch the squirrels run up and down the trees.

“What do you want to talk to me about, Brad?” Jamie asked. She truly did not know what she expected him to say, but she was willing to listen.

“Let’s sit over here,” Brad said. He took Jamie’s hand and led her to one of the overstuffed chairs near the fireplace. When she was seated, he pulled the other, matching chair close to hers and sat down facing her.

 

“Please bear with me here, Jamie. I want to say this in the right way. I don’t want to feel awkward about it. Do you know what I mean?”

Although she didn’t have the slightest idea what he meant she nodded just to keep the conversation moving forward.

Brad grinned and started over. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m crazy about you and I don’t want you to go anywhere. The problem is that I don’t know what you want. You’re the one with all of the big life decisions ahead of you.”

Jamie took a deep breath and let it out. “I’m pretty crazy about you too, Brad. I didn’t think you felt the same way. In case you didn’t know it, you send mixed messages sometimes.”

Brad grinned again and nodded.

“I’m sorry, Jamie. I never meant to confuse you. Life has been pretty wild recently hasn’t it? Maybe that has something to do with it.”

“I’m off work again tomorrow,” Jamie said. “Do you have a busy day planned? I was thinking it might be nice to spend the day together…just the two of us. We could go for a horseback ride and take a picnic lunch with us.”

“I would like nothing better. If you can get here by nine in the morning, I’ll have the horses saddled up and ready to go. I’m sure one of the ladies would be happy to fix us a picnic lunch.”

Brad leaned over and took Jamie’s hand in his. “I hope you decide to complete your internship and do whatever else you have to do to become a Veterinarian. I’ve watched you with the animals and I know you love working at the clinic. You’re a very caring and compassionate person, Jamie, not to mention you’re extremely smart and talented.”

Jamie couldn’t believe Brad was actually saying these things to her. It was truly music to her ears.

**********************************

&&& Here I am back at the ranch. I’m happy to be away from Gloria, but I really did like Barbie. I don’t think she knows that Gloria isn’t as nice as she makes out to be. I know she doesn’t want Barbie to have anything to do with us. She wants her all to herself. If you ask me, she’s really nervous and she’s playing tricks on Barbie. Gloria didn’t want Barbie to get attached to me, either. Arf is helping Katie this morning. She’s balancing really well now and Arf is helping her to walk longer distances. Everyone says Katie has really come a long way. I wish I had a job like Arf does. He’s a therapy dog.

 

****************************

“Annie! Annie! come here Annie… I need you. I have a job for you.”

After work, Jamie dropped Miss Bessie off at the ranch and then went straight home to the farm. Miss Bessie had talked or gossiped rather, the whole way and now Jamie had a massive headache. It had been a long day and she needed to take care of her animals before settling in for the night. She intended to fix herself something to eat and go to bed early. Sleep had been alluding her lately and she was bone tired.

It was close to eight o’clock when the phone rang.

“Jamie…This is Miss Bessie. I know you just dropped me off a few hours ago and I’m sorry to bother you, dear, but we need you! Something is wrong with Arf. He’s lying on the floor and panting. He won’t get up…even for those bones he loves.”

“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes,” Jamie said. She quickly dressed and took off in her Jeep. “Please God,” she prayed. “Let Arf be okay.” All the way to the ranch she tried to figure out what could possibly be wrong with the dog she had known since he was a puppy.

Arf had been fine all day. He danced with Katie at the hospice and the nursing home and later played hard with Annie at the park. It had been a great day for all of them, but shortly after they got home Arf suddenly became lethargic and his eyes didn’t look good.

“Maybe he’s just worn out from his big day, but I didn’t want to take any chances,” Miss Bessie said.

“I’m really glad you called me. I’ve never seen him like this.”

“Steve and Dina are putting a very worried Katie to bed. Brad left shortly after they all got home. He went to take Barbie and that Gloria back to wherever they live. Sounds like it’s a pretty long trip. Helen is cleaning up the kitchen.” Miss B felt obliged to fill Jamie in on everyone’s whereabouts.

“Okay, my good boy, let’s see if we can find out why you’re not feeling well.”

Jamie couldn’t find anything that would explain Arf’s sudden illness. She questioned Dina and Steve about what he had eaten and asked if he could have gotten into any tainted water.

“Where is Annie?” Jamie asked. “Is she acting sick as well?”

“We don’t know.” After getting Katie settled in, Dina had come to see if she could help. “Brad took Annie with him back to Barbie’s house. I guess she must want to keep her.”

“So you’re telling me, after a wonderful day with his friend, Annie, whom he loves so much, she was suddenly whisked away?” Jamie looked angry. “I can’t believe Brad would do that. He knows how attached those two have become.”

“What do we do now?” Dina asked. “We can’t let him stay like this.”

“I get the feeling that Arf and Katie haven’t been spending as much time together, either. He must feel like all of his best buds are drifting away from him. I think the answer is for everyone, especially Katie, to love on him and spend as much time with him as possible. A dog like Arf needs to have a purpose.”

*** Jamie nailed it. My heart sank when Brad took Annie back to Barbie’s house. Now she has to live with that mean old Gloria. I don’t think I’m going to get better for a really long time. I’ll waste away to nothing. I’ll sort of be on strike…even though it’s going to be very hard to pass up those good bones.

The next day, the household did their best to cheer Arf up, but he had lost interest in everything. He probably would have worked with Katie because she was his number one human, but she had the sniffles and her mom wanted her to stay in bed. Katie told Dina that seeing Arf so upset made her sad. He didn’t even want to lay by her bed. He wanted to stay by the window in Brad’s study where he could see outside.

Jamie didn’t have to work the next day, so she drove over to the ranch to check on Arf. Miss B said he was still lying by the window in Brad’s study.

Jamie felt a little strange going into Brad’s private study, but that’s where Arf was, so that’s where she went. She sat down on the floor beside him and held his head in her lap. She began scratching his ears and around his collar which she knew he loved.

“I don’t know, Arf. I’ve been thinking a lot about selling the farm and going back home. I hate to have to transfer my internship, but it’s something to think about. I know you still have your work to do with Katie and you two really love each other. You’re just going to have to get over Annie and go on. I’m sure you will still see her occasionally.”

***Uh Oh…now I’ve made Jamie sad. Keep scratching my ears, Jamie.

“What’s going on in here?” Brad asked as he stood in the doorway watching them.

“The two of us are crying on each other’s shoulder,” Jamie answered. “Arf has been lying around being depressed ever since you took Annie to live with Barbie and Gloria. Was it really necessary for you to do that after the two of them had spent several days together and become so attatched?”

” I know. You’re right.” Brad walked over and knelt down to pet Arf. I thought better of it while we were on our way to Barbie’s. I’ll get her another dog if she wants one.”

“Do you mean…”

“Yes. Annie is out in the kitchen chewing on one of those good bones.”

***Did Brad say what I think he said? Stop scratching my ears. Jamie. Annie’s here and she’s eating a good bone?

Suddenly Arf had new found energy and without looking back, he was off to see Annie and chew on a good bone.

“Now Jamie,” Brad said as he took her hand to help her to get up from the floor…”I want to tell you about what’s going on with Tom and Barbie, but first, let’s talk about us…

When my brother, Billy was a little boy, he loved Roy Rogers. He was very excited when Mom told him there was a Roy Rogers show at the show uptown. (We called movies shows and the place we went to see them was also called the show.)

Anyway, it turned out to be a devastating experience. You see, Billy watched Roy Rogers and Dale Evans on Saturday mornings and they were really Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. In the “show,” Roy’s name was Tom. He was playing a different character. The whole thing was pretty upsetting to poor little Billy. He did not like that Roy was Tom and he didn’t even ride Trigger and Tom didn’t act right. Not at all like Roy…and where was Dale and Pat, the sidekick?

That was back in the good old days when moms used to sit their kids in front of the television on Saturday mornings, give them a bowl of Trix and let them watch all of those wonderful shows.

I watched Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Sky King, Zoro, Rifleman and a couple of cartoons. I was always sad when I watched the last one.

Sky King and Penny

I need to back up at little to tell you about my devastating television experience.

It all began the day we got our first TV set. I remember waiting for it to get all hooked up and suddenly, As the World Turns, which we later learned was a soap opera, popped up. Mom and I were mesmerized and we watched it whenever we could through the years. I still remember all of the characters, especially Bob and Lisa and their son, Tom. Bob and Lisa were divorced several times over the years and when they ran out of people to marry, they married each other again. That would just last until some new person moved to Oakdale.

Bob and Lisa were daytime royalty…

Meanwhile, there was poor little Tommy who later became Tom…not to be confused with the Tom Roy Rogers played in the movie. As the World Turns Tom was played by the same boy for several years. Then one day, Mom and I were watching and some new guy was talking with Bob and Lisa.

“Who is that?” I asked Mom.

“That must be Tommy,” she said.

“Piu! That’s not Tommy.”

I got up and left the room. I couldn’t bear to think that they could just put someone else in and expect me to treat him like he was Tommy.

I loved soap operas, but the Friday cliff hanger was the worst. I waited all week for something big to happen. The build- up was always intense, but did they give me the answer on Friday? No…

I couldn’t watch during the school year, but when I cleaned  motel rooms for Mom in the summer, I always took my break during my favorite soap opera. I could miss months and be able to pick up the story-line in no time.

This and other interesting subjects came up in a conversation my brother and I had today.

If you can relate to these devastating experiences, in can only mean one thing…You’re as old as dirt.

One more thing…

I was out back painting rocks when I heard this bird singing. Does anyone know what kind of bird it is?

 

Progress

 

Alice, the cook/housekeeper hadn’t felt like herself for a while so she decided to take some extended time off. That left running the house to poor Grandma Helen and Miss Bessie. (Except for the couple of days a week that Miss Bessie worked at the General Store in town.)

The morning after the party, both ladies were up early to finish cleaning up the kitchen and prepare breakfast.

“Well?” Do you know anything about what happened after Brad and his sister and brother went to his study?” Miss B asked. “They were still in there when I couldn’t stay awake a minute longer and went to bed.”

“They were all still in the study when I went to bed, too. I think Jamie was a little disappointed that Brad didn’t come out to say goodbye to her. She wanted to take Arf and Annie home with her, but they’re supposed to go to the hospice where Dina worked and to a nursing home, today.”

“Wasn’t the little recital Katie and Arf put on just precious? You must be so proud of your granddaughter, Helen. she and Arf have worked hard and it’s paying off.”

“Now…how are we going to find out the whole story about what happened last night?”

Miss Bessie almost swallowed her tongue when she saw Brad walk in.

“Is the coffee ready ladies? Do we have one of those cups that I can take with me? I have a lot of ground to cover today.”

Grandma Helen found a cup and poured coffee into it. Brad thanked her and walked out the kitchen door. The two “ladies” peeked through the curtain and saw him get into his truck. He hadn’t given them one clue as to where he was going. It was only a couple of minutes before their next victim walked in.

“Good morning Mark,” Miss Bessie ran to get his coffee. “Here you go, honey. Just the way you like it…Say, Helen and I are about to fix breakfast and we’re wondering how many people are going to be here to eat it.”

“Yes..Helen butted in. Brad just left in his truck. He was all by himself. Does that mean that his sister and brother and Glorified Gloria are still here?”

“I don’t know. All I know is that Steve, Dina, and Katie, already left with Arf and Annie. They’re going to see sickly people somewhere. Are you going to really fix my breakfast this time, Miss B or are you going to bail on me like the day you got your big head egg or egg head job at the General Store?”

“I swear Mark…You’re going to be the death of me. Do you want your eggs over hard like your head?”

***Dina got an SUV and Annie and I rode in the back of it all the way to the place where the sick people are. Katie rode in the seat just ahead of us, and Steve and Dina were in the front because Steve was driving.

When we finally got to the place, we had to wear a leash. I understood because I’ve been places where dogs don’t behave and they trip people who are trying to walk around. I sure hope Annie understands. I’ll tell you right now, no dog likes to wear a leash. It looks like everyone here is in bed.

&&& I heard that, Arf…I understand about the leash and I don’t like it either. Why is everyone here in bed? It’s almost bone time isn’t it?

“Hi Mr. Peterson…do you remember me? I’m Dina. I worked here for a long time. I’m so happy to see you looking so well.”

Mr. Peterson looked confused. It had been a while and he had been used to seeing Dina in her work uniform.

Arf figured out what was going on and intervened.

***The man in bed looked sad to me. I walked between Dina and the bed and over to where Katie was sitting in her wheelchair. I put my paw up for the signal. It was time for us to do our recital for these people. I told Annie in dog talk that we needed her to sing (whine) softly….real softly, while we danced.

Katie stood and put one hand on my head and took my paw with the other. Then she started doing her ballerina moves. She couldn’t get up on her toes, but she was very graceful.

People who were asleep woke up and people who were already awake were smiling at the little ballerina and her dog (me). We gave them our very best performance. When we were finished, everyone clapped and wanted to pet Annie and me.

We did the same thing at the nursing home we went to and the same thing happened. We’re going to have to learn another routine because everyone wants us to come back. I liked those people I met today, and I’d like to get to know them better. I just hope I don’t have to wear these ballerina slippers all the time.

After we did all of our dancing, Steve and Dina took us to the park where we found her when we were looking for her. Annie and I chased squirrels, and Steve threw the frisbee to us. It was the best day ever because I got to spend it with Katie and Annie.