An update on Daisy and related thoughts
I make it no secret that I like animals.
I think of Adam when God paraded all the kinds before him to name. Or Noah when God filled the ark. That seems overwhelming. I don’t know that I like all animals. But I do like some.
Like good dogs. Like Daisy. She has been doing really good. Sure, she gets into stuff she shouldn’t. Yesterday I needed her and she was MIA. I didn’t really need her. I was just checking the cows and their water situation and seeing how they were doing in general. And I know Daily likes to be part of that. It’s not much really. Just make sure their trough is full and clean. They like … or at least let me scratch their heads. I kinda think they like it. Daisy wants to be between them and me. Maybe she thinks she’s protecting me. Or maybe she’s just jealous. Anyway I looked around and she was nowhere to be seen. A little later a got to calling her and she shows up with a deer leg. (Don’t ask) The imp. But that’s what dogs do. They drag stuff up we would just as soon they didn’t. Or they roll in fresh cow manure so we have to give them a bath before we go back in.
Cattle. Especially these young ones. They’re like young boys. A boy likes to be in boy places and do boy things. I know that I should say some boys. Of course. And not only boys. Girls can like the same things. Like climbing out on limbs that are liable to break off. Or riding their bikes reckless with a Dr Pepper bottle wedged in to where the spokes make a motorcycle sound. Or go around with a stick banging on things. Or trying to get lost in the woods so they can see if they can get back. A they don’t herd worth a flip. Boys don’t. Not any better than cats.
Speaking of cats… I like them too. I know that I’m not really supposed to because of how much I like dogs. But I do. We’ve got three of them. Or maybe four. They are supposed to be eating the mice and other snake prey. That way we won’t have snakes around as much. And they do a pretty good job. Here’s Lacy helping me shear Junior before the county show. Don’t ask where Rece was. Because I don’t remember. Probably off doing something boys like to do. Reminds me of Daisy with the deer leg. Anyway, Lacy girl was there.
Lambs. Junior kinda sold me on this. I didn’t know I liked them so much. But there is just so much to like. And laugh at. I even like how they smell. 🤓
All this to say that Daisy got rolled up in a wreck this morning. She got to me as quick as she could and it was clear that she would be fine. Some peeled pads and other skins. She’ll be gimpy for a few days but will heal pretty quickly. But it could have been way worse. Way worse. Scared me bad. Some would say that she’s just a dog. At there is at least a little truth to that.
The problem is that word “just.” It doesn’t fit. There isn’t anything “just” about Daisy. That’s something that trust does. She trusts me. To keep her safe. To keep her fed. To look after her. And the truth is, she looks after me too. There’s a reason that dogs are called man’s best friend.
I’ve got her cleaned up and on the couch licking her wounds. That’s what they need most. Say what you want about that too. She’s only there because I’ve decided it’s where she deserves to be.
