A Terrible Thing for Thanksgiving and Dogs!

A terrible thing happened for dogs this Thanksgiving. It can certainly be a terrible thing when your people learn something new -- if you happen to be a dog. My people were being visited by the extended pack. Tree was talking with another adult people and I overheard the whole aweful story.

There once was a dog who went with her peoples to visit other peoples who happened to have a dog too. The dog in this story was very happy to visit the other dog. They ran together and had great fun with toys. But the other dog was much younger and stronger than the dog in our story and it sometimes made our dog very sad. She kept trying though, in the hopes that one day she'd be just as good at something as the younger dog. Then one night, during the visit, a new thing happened. While getting ready for bed the other peoples patted the top of the bed -- and the other dog jumped up! Our dog had never seen anything such as this before. Her peoples always slept alone way up on the bed. The dog in our story was never allowed on the bed. She wanted oh so very much to be just like the other dog! She ventured a little whine and gave her best puppy face to her peoples. To the surprise of the dog in our story her peoples patted the top of the bed too! She too was going to be allowed on the bed! SHE would finally be just like the other dog in our story! Her bottom side began to wiggle before her feet could even move. The dog in our story was so terribly excited as she jumped onto the bed! She wagged and wagged her tail in joy. She rolled on her side and wagged her tail in happiness. The dog in our story wagged and wagged her happy tail. Suddenly the dog in our story let out a huge YELP! She jumped down to the safety of the floor. She tried to be happy. She tried to wag her tail, but each effort made her yelp in pain again. The dog in our story tried NOT to wag her tail now. Her peoples jumped out of the bed and rushed her to a doctor. Being very worried, they told the doctor what had happened. The doctor gave the dog in our story medicine to make her feel better and heal. The the doctor then gave a good natured laugh. He explained that he'd never seen a dog get so happy that it wagged its tail too hard. The dog in our story had sprained her tail!
Now, what does this have to do with Thanksgiving? My own peoples learned too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Turkey makes my tail wag!
-- Harvest Pruitt

INTRODUCTION - Harvest Speaks

WELCOME!

Harvey: Tree and James knew my mom, before I was born. Since I wasn't born yet, I can't tell you about that. The first time I met my people it was a little bit scary. Nobody had shapes yet cause my eyes weren't open. Something was going on in our box. My brothers and sisters were crying. Everyone was very excited. Hands -- new hands were touching us, lifting us, and changing our smells! I sniffed all around for Mommy, but couldn't find her! Then there were hands on me. I struggled and fought -- I wouldn't go! But, of course, I did.

Up, and up I went. My head felt funny, and it scared me! Where was my Mommy? Then, before I could panic, the funny-head stopped and everything was still. I felt a warm heart beating, but it wasn't my Mom. I felt hands around my neck, but they didn't scare me. The hands rubbed my neck and it felt good. Then they tied something around my neck. Then I heard a people say, "There we go. This one is green". The good rubbing stopped and the funny-head came back. The air was cold as I felt myself go down ... down. I wanted the people! I cried out as I felt the hard box beneath me.

I cried out over and over again until, finally, Mommy came. She rubbed her soft flat face against me and it was good. But not like the people. I cried again and Mommy told me to hush. She said that I was not to worry. I could have those people if I wanted them. She told me I had to wait until I was big enough to leave. Until then I had to find ways to let the people know they were mine.

I settled down for a while as Mommy explained to us all that the people had tied ribbons around our necks. Each ribbon was different and each of us was now to be known by our ribbon -- we had been given names! This was a very good thing. I felt my ribbon carressing my neck as I remembered what I'd heard the people say... I was Green! I was so excited!

Then, I smelled my people -- hands were near. So I screamed and screamed! It worked -- the peoples thought that something was wrong and picked me up right away. Two peoples were holding me at the same time -- four hands loving me. I made happy little piggy sounds as they rubbed my neck and held me between them. I never wanted to leave this place.

- To be continued.

Contents Copyright, Tree Pruitt, 2005. Reproduction with the intention of profit forbidden.