Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The “dog days of summer” has an extra special meaning this year.
This July 4 weekend marked an entire year with SassyPants, the great Pyr, patrolling the grounds.
While just a pup, she would regularly come down the road to visit. The giant fluffball would saunter down for a cookie and a belly rub, and an occasional hot dog. She also had quite a crush on the senior dog in the front, OtterPup; and just like OtterPup, we fell in love with the fluffer the first time she ventured into the yard.
OtterPup had been pretty glum in the months prior to the invasion of the puppy. His mom, Opera Singer, had died of cancer and he’d been quiet and mournful since her passing. The only time he really perked up was when he’d get a visit from the neighbor’s puppy.
Toward the middle of June, the fireworks started. The closer we got to July 4, the bigger and boomier they were, to the angst of every animal at Head Acres.
Early on the evening of the fourth, some people who used to live up the road started shooting off fireworks. After a few practice blasts, the artillery fireworks came out. One of them was set off in the direction of the puppy, sending SassyPants screaming down the road, me screaming at Wayne to go grab the puppy, and Wayne screaming at the puppy to come to him.
There was a whole lot of screaming going on. I’m not sure which of us was more scared, puppy or people.
The next morning, Wayne talked to the fellow who had the pup and told him what had happened. Long story short, Wayne came home with a puppy for OtterPup. She’d been called Paloma because she was such a peaceful thing. In true Pyrenees fashion, she didn’t answer to that, or anything else. We tried Ronnie, Fluffernutter, Cloud, Floofers, and “drop that bowl!” We eventually settled on SassyPants because of her attitude.
The change in OtterPup was immediate and astonishing. He’s no longer glum, and is back to prancing around like a puppy, which is no small feat since he’s nearly 13. He’s gleeful and patrolling the property with the SassyPants Pyr who now outweighs him. They are constantly together. If one goes to the vet and the other is left at home, they are both agitated until they’re reunited. Wherever one is, there is the other.
While we weren’t looking to add to the herd out here, the rocket’s red glare created a small crisis and a catalyst for a decision. If you ask OtterPup, bringing home a therapy SassyPants for him was the best choice.
Patti Dobson writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News and Quay County Sun. Contact her at: