My Favorite Dog

Earlier I posted "Every Dog is My Favorite Dog" (see November 2006). A friend suggested I use that for my "book" if I ever write it. I'll consider it, but it's really more about sitting with the dogs, the experience, and the impact on my life.

Here then, is another "My Favorite Dog" story.

I frequently sit with a threesome of small dogs Clancey, Toby and Casey. Each is unique of course and all three make for a lively pack. This story is about Clancey, the West Highland Terrier (Westie) who is the oldest of the three. Clancey is a compact, determined little guy. He needs carrying up stairs to the dogs' sleeping quarters every night as his little legs can't manage the big stone stairs in the house where he lives. I lift him into my arms and the two other little dogs dance and prance up to the laundry room where they all sleep in their cages.

Clancey endures this transport with dignity and with no sign of protest. Once at the top of the stairs, he calmly slips from my arms and slowly follows the other two into the room for the night.

But this story is about a daytime event. I had gone out briefly to grocery shop and took a side trip to one of my favorite consignmnet stores,. It’s closer here than from my house so it was a treat to go. I bought a few things and since I kept my purchases on the hangers and as a convenience, the check-out clerk put them in a plastic garment bag. I brought it in on my return to the house and hung it on one of the towel hooks in the bathroom. Didn’t think about them again.

After dinner, as is usual, Toby was sitting with me on the chair, Casey was curled up on the floor and Clancey was in the bedroom where he prefers to go from time to time. I think he misses his owners.

All of a sudden Clancey barked sharply. At first I thought it was just a little alarm -- “a bird is outside” or “I heard a car too close” bark. Then it got frantic and didn’t stop. Well, we were all on our feet in a flash, and raced into the bedroom. Every imaginable scenario was going through my head. A coyote outside on the patio? A burglar? A snake in the bathtub or shower? What else could it possibly be?

Of course, it was the garment bag. He evidently had wandered into the dark bathroom and was surprised to find what he thought was an intruder. What a great watchdog he is!!!

I laughed and laughed, but was definitely relieved, turned on the light, showed him the bag, and we all resumed our evening.