SWEET SIGH - JUST AN OLD HOUND (HARDLY)

She was found wandering around in a rest stop along Route 411 South about seven and a half years ago.  Her body was so thin I swear I could see through it.  A close friend said she opened the car door and the old hound slunk across the grass and got in the car.  That was the start of a seven year love affair between this old hound dog and me.  Sigh was in the yard where I stay now when I first met her.  She came when called but lowered her head almost touching the ground and slunk, rather than proudly walked toward me.  Her right ear had a huge chunk bitten out of it long, long ago lending character to the dog.  The old hound was quiet and never made a sound.  She was named Sigh, the silent breath, unheard, but just there.   When vetted;  the veterinarian indicated that her hips contained several shotgun pellets and that her pelvis was fractured from an old, old injury.  Her rear hips always were out of line with each other.   Sigh was moved quickly to my friends house and lived there for two years.  There were many rescue dogs there and they and Sigh were constant companions.  Two large pointers were added to the mix at that home.  One morning "all" the dogs turned on old Sigh and almost killed her.  Yes, the dogs she lived with for two years attempted to kill her.  Sounds cruel, I know.  Dogs aren't wolves but, they are a mixed breed pack.  I believe they tried to eliminate an old and weak member of the pack.  It's just a theory.  Sigh then was moved to this habitat area where she has lived in peace and comfort ever since.  She's never been a problem and if I didn't see her;  I'd never know she was here. 

Homer the cat took a liking to Old Sigh and the two started hanging out together.  Homer would curl up next to Sigh for warmth in the Winter.
Sigh always was a happy dog, never whining and never barking.  She was just "always there."

Every time I would take Douglas to the lake or woods she would stand at the gate and watch us until we were out of site.  One day the thought of her standing there at the gate and never getting out of the yard really bothered me.  It was on my mind the entire day.  I decided to take her along next outing.

I am so glad I did.  She could not keep up with Douglas or, later on, Shade but, she plugged along behind me.  She had no limitations on distance at first.  Every time I looked behind me, she was on my heels.  We stopped often and Sigh would crawl under a bush and lay in the shade.  She amazed me at the lake.  Sitting by my side, she watched Douglas swimming and splashing in the water.  She stood and walked to the lake and kept going until she was swimming.  She was delighted.  She would not come out of the water until Douglas did.

She looked so strong and noble out there swimming.  She swam up along the shoreline and turned and swam back down.  She was delighting in the cool refreshing water..  Her face was brightened by the experience.

"Oh, Sigh;  where did you learn to swim so well?"
Sigh went with us on every outing from that day.

Then, about a year and a half later, I noticed that she couldn't keep up and that the sun was causing her discomfort.  I sat with her that day and I new it was unwise to bring her along again.  We returned home that evening and Sigh never went with us again.  I had to bear the sorrow of watching her stand at the gate and watch us as we pulled away without her.  I don't know if I made the right decision or not but, it saddened me.  I couldn't look out the rear view mirror anymore until I got the truck on the road.  Old Sigh would be centered in the glass of that mirror every time, just standing there staring at the truck as it drove away.

I noticed a large lump on the right side of her chest one day.  I don't know how long it was there.  She was old and regardless what it was she would never stand the operation it would take to remove it.  That was two years ago.  She has been going strong since.  A nasty purple and red growth appeared between the toes of her right foot.  A wart had been prominent there as long as I can remember.  It had suddenly turned colors and reminded me of a cauliflower.  It bothered her and I had it removed.  Nothing ever came of it.  Nothing.  She plodded on just being the quiet old dog in the yard.

This Winter, I noticed she had great difficulty climbing through the dog door to the habitat.  There are five steps necessary to get to the door from the outside.  She started to labor up the steps and sort of hop through the dog door with a leap.  Her rear legs weren't cooperating.  This past Winter was a hard one for her.  At times she would stand and stare at the dog door from in the room for minutes before finally moving forward for the jump through the opening and the run down the steps that her forward momentum would cause.  She never once failed to leave this room when necessary.  Not once.  Even though it was and is the most difficult task she has;  she has been unfailing in leaving the for necessary reasons.

I kept telling her that Summer was coming;  just hold on old girl.  She did.  She stumbles down the steps on worn out legs and settles in a little depression in the yard to lay in the sun.  When I open the gate to take Douglas;  she raises her head and half sits up as if to come along but, only falls back again.  Her eyes never leave us until we pull away in the truck.

Her ability to walk is rapidly decreasing now.  I noticed "again" today that her ankles get crossed up and she trips on her own rear legs but gets up quickly.  Her rear feet sometimes turn all the way down until she walks on the tops of her feet.  She must not be able to feel her feet.  It is so sad to watch the decline of such a noble dog.

Two nights ago I looked out the door and she was standing at the bottom of the steps looking up at me.  I knew she was bracing for the ordeal of getting up those steps.  I went down and picked her up and carried her into the room.  Now, late at night, I will hear her woof, woofing.  When I look;  she is staring up the steps at the door.  She is asking me to come and get her because she can't make the climb.  I will never let her stand out there.  It's not a big deal for me to carry her in.

Awhile ago she hobbled over to me and laid down beside where I was sitting.  I laid my hand on her head and gently moved my finger tips around.  Then I started to massage her hips.  Those weary, boney hips have carried her around for about seventeen years..  She looked up at me and half closed her eyes indicating she needed petted on her head.  I placed my left hand under her muzzle and lifted it slightly and slowly drew my right hand, finger tips mostly, over her head, and I spoke in a gentle voice to her.  I explained to her that she had friends waiting to see her again, and that she would meet them very soon.  Pocus, Verdan, Pie Pie and old Julia were all coming to see her.  They would wait until she was ready to journey with them to a wonderful place where humans can't go.  I told Sigh that she would never be alone when she leaves and that I would miss her very much and not to be afraid, for her friends will come to help her along.  I talked to her a long time reminding her of walks and hikes we took together.  I guess I was reminding myself about the times this fine, grand old dog went into the woods with us.  She was just old Sigh on those walks.  But, now that I think back I am so glad I took her.  It is important now.  Those were the last moments of true freedom she ever knew.  The grass was green and the sky was blue.  The gentle breeze touched her brow and she found comfort in water that she would never see again.
"Old girl;  the time is coming soon when I shall miss you, dear one.  Your image is firmly embedded in my mind and your paw prints have made very deep impressions on my heart.  If I am not here when you leave on your journey; just close your eyes and think of me;  of us;  Douglas, Happy and Shade.  Let the sleep take you old one.  We will never forget you.  When you awake, your friends will be there to show you the way.

THE HAIL STORM

At 2:20 PM today, a very bad piece of weather moved through and the worse hail storm I have ever seen occurred.  My 1991 Ford F150 is made of real steel and the hood and cab roof sustained some dents from the hail.  Every exposed car in the town is filled with dents.  The storm moved through in three waves dropping golf ball size hail with jagged edges and peaks on them.  Douglas was trapped outside in the yard not knowing what to do.  The hail could have caused him serious injury.  I ran out and led him into the habitat.  I have never seen him frightened before but, he was today.  What is happening?!!

A MORNING ESPECIALLY FOR THE DOGS

They are laying dead everywhere

All that remain are tattered body pieces here and there.  They struggled for seventeen years to meet this fate, their mission of perpetuation completed.

These dead and dying have satisfied their commitment to nature and their species.  They have sacrificed their lives for the betterment of the whole.





The day would soon be hot and unfavorable for dogs in the sun.  They looked longingly at me practically begging me to take them out of here.  I couldn't resist.  I collected a couple gallons of water for them and off we went.  This morning would be just for them.  We would enter into the old state park and turn down toward the lake through the forest.  It's beautiful down there although rugged.

Butterflies have gathered in mass all along the path through the meadow that must be crossed to reach the forest.  They are amazing!

I don't understand what's happening with these butterflies but, the air as well as the ground, are covered with them. 

The sun is not at it's highest point in the sky yet but, soon will be.  Already it is hot, too hot, for dogs to be exposed to that heat.  We will cross the meadow quickly to gain the shade of the dense trees.

He moves through fields of blue Beardstooth flowers



Even Shade has her post card moment; well, almost



Beardstooth can always be counted on to cheer up the scenery.





"Come on shade;  hurry up."



 Shade has come such a long way since I discovered her on that island years ago.  She is dedicated to me and has blended in well with all the dogs.  I'm thankful I came along when I did on that dark night on Tellico Lake to take her off that island.  Love her..

Douglas is moving slow today due to the heat.  He is sniffing about and just enjoying being out here.  He is my pride and my joy in this life.

And then there's little Happy.  She was named Nutmeg when I first got her but, her demeanor was so upbeat I changed her name to Happy.  A more dedicated, loving little dog there is none.  She absolutely will not venture far without me.  She laid on my lap every night as I slept in a chair enduring the pain of sciatica for weeks at a time.

I love them all but, my first love is Douglas.  The first year of his life was spent on a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) boat.  He learned to lean and sway with the waves and wakes and served me well as the best company a man could want.  He never caused a problem.  He never complained.  He represented the TWRA Agency with pride and became an icon on Melton Hill Lake.  The fishermen always knew it was my boat coming when they would see Douglas on the bow point.

Very soon now, Douglas will once again grace the bow of a beautiful 22 foot TWRA boat and enter into a new era of discovery and wonderment on two new lakes he's never seen.  He will once again  stand tall on the bow and feel the cool lake air passing over him, his beautiful golden hair blowing in the wind, and with muzzle to the sky, scent the fragrance of freedom.  He "is" the Tennessee Lake Dog....


There still remains a healthy concentration of Cicadas back in the forest.  Their shrill noise is becoming louder as we penetrate the forest's edge.

Cicada in flight

There are great numbers of them here.  This must be a second army that has emerged from the ground.

Ok;  I had a weak moment and wanted to see if I could pan with one of these fast flyer's.   An insignificant shot but, at least I know I can follow a bug with the camera.

The terrain is very rugged here.  I entered the forest at a less than desirable place.  The light areas to the left of these photos is Tellico Lake.  It's very difficult to balance the lightness of the lake with the darkness of the forest in the camera.
This is one steep piece of real estate!

We would have to climb to the top to get out of this mess but first I would lead them down to the lake.  They are hot and need a break and water.  Did I say I would lead them?

We took a break on a deer trail before ascending to the water.  Once there we would take a good rest and they could swim and cool off.

When I started walking down the cliff, they knew what was up.  WATER!  They all passed me by at a run and they plunged into the lake.  These guys are the sweetest!

They would swim and climb up on shore to roll in the leaves.  Just as fast as they could get up  they ran back out into the water.  They did this repetitively.

Swim and roll in the leaves.  They did this over and over.  Their eyes were bright and their movements were deliberate and, well, snappy.  In short;  this was a dog amusement park for them and they had a lifetime ticket.

Once cooled down;  they started just hanging out with me.  I noticed an abundance of those butterflies back here.  There actually was a large quantity of them.  They are Spring Azure's



How sweet is that?

Aw;  my widdle boy has a butterfwy on im....

Innocence upon innocence.



Nature's touch;  a kiss from a butterfly angel for Douglas;  and then she's gone

It's getting very hot even under these trees.  I need to get them back home.  They can't say "hey, I'm hot."  I'm supposed to have that common sense to realize it's too hot for them.  They trust me.

Douglas languishes in the cool water close to the shoreline while Shade snatches Cicadas from the air.  Somewhere along the line she discovered they are tasty fare.  What the heck;  just another form of protein.  We struggled up the mountain and gained access to the old park and the road back to the truck.  This was a delightful morning.  My back has mended and I feel my old normal self.  Life is good!  Tomorrow it's back on the road house looking.  What a pain! 

I hope you enjoyed the little walk with us this morning.  The future hold some very promising adventure opportunities.  Very promising!

Movie   "Douglas on Abrams Creek"

 

 Movie;   "Who's the Boss?"

BITTERSWEET MOMENTS

The ear piercing, shrill, continuous sounds of Cicadas by the trillions fill the air at the old state park.

A new army of them has arisen from the earth in order to guarantee their future in the insect world.

It seems that every blade of grass is covered with them.  They are everywhere I look.

A new revelation has recently occurred in my life.  It is a very welcome one and makes me very happy.  At the same time I am saddened.  I have interviewed for and have been selected to serve once again with, what I feel, is the most prestigious government agency in Tennessee.   Starting on the 19th of June I will be working in the fisheries section of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, (TWRA).  Although I consider myself retired; this position will serve to add stability, purpose and structure to my daily life.  I might mention that the job is fun too.  I will be issued a 22 foot boat, a truck and trailer to go with it.  My assigned lakes to collect fisheries data from are Cherokee and Douglas Lakes.  They are enormous bodies of water.  For instance; Cherokee Lake is 48 miles long with 500 miles of shoreline.  I haven't researched Douglas Lake yet.  These lakes lie about one hundred miles East of where I currently live which means I will have to relocate.

 TWRA is the reason I live in this beautiful place now, as I had to relocate to this area to operate on Ft Loudon and Melton Hill Lakes.  Now, TWRA is the impetus for leaving.  I didn't give moving much thought until this morning.

This part of Tennessee has represented everything Tennessee means to me.  I have been intimate with the lakes and mountains and much more over the past, almost six years.

This is where Douglas came into my life.  I've shared a one room warehouse with him and up to eight other dogs for the past five years.  All my wanderings and adventures have originated from right here.  I soon will be leaving it all.  My beloved Calderwood Lake will not see the Champlain or Mistral anytime soon again.  Douglas will not be able to play in the icy waters of Slick Rock Creek and the Gheenoe will not test the dangerous entrance to the Slick Rock Channel again.  The Otters on Indian Boundary will be safe from the all seeing eye of my camera.  I will not be there next season to photograph the Bald Eagles I dearly love.  I've seen many children raised in that huge nest on the Little Tennessee River.  The East Coast Tellico Hiking Trail will become a pleasant memory.  Oh, the wonderful times I've spent there with Douglas, Shade and Happy!  Those memories are stored away in my mind and in photographs that I shall treasure for the rest of my life.

It's funny how we humans can bestow emotion onto a place or thing;  which brings me to the old state park.  I brought Douglas, Shade and Happy here with me today for what seems like a preparatory visit that will preclude a final visit early next month.

This old park with its ruins area has been a wonderful place o bring the dogs.  It has allowed them room and seclusion where they could roam and play and just "be dogs."

I guess I've been bringing them here for the past 5 years.  We've watched the seasons come and go and we have walked it's length and breadth.  I've sat upon these old stone steps at the ruins and filled up many notebook journals over the years.

I've watched the old home made brick walls slowly deteriorate over time.  The most recent tornado came close to totally destroying the foundation remnants.

 I've watched Douglas walk up the old carriage trail many, many times while marveling at his perfect, innocent beauty.

 I can remember when a sudden rain storm drove all of us into a fallen down shack just behind the ruins.  Those memories derived from the old park are endless and, precious.  Most importantly, I watched Douglas grow up and mature here.  I am so grateful for this old park as it allowed him to grow up free in an atmosphere where a leash was never necessary.  He could roam untethered and in safety.  Together we have walked over the beautiful flower covered meadows and the lush green forests investigating anything and everything.

 This place was our getaway.  We knew every trail and path.  Douglas learned all the short cuts to wherever.  And there is natural beauty in every direction.

Lush green meadows and forests peppered with wildflowers in the Spring and Summer is the scene that greets my little boy every time he comes here.  It is almost a second home to him.  When I say "lets go boy"; he knows the destination and charges to the fence gate at the ready, eyes bright and his body alert.

Most folks take their dogs for walks or to dog parks.  Douglas has never done any of that.  Every time I've taken him out he has had a monumental experience.  I am so fortunate to have lived in an area where this super quality of life could be offered him.  Yes;  this old park has been a blessing for not only Douglas but, for Shade, Happy and even me.  I have enjoyed watching them enjoy life.

Douglas in his element

 I will try my best to take the kids to the old park as often as I can over the next few weeks.  I will be spending a lot of time trying to find our new home far East of here though.  But, I'll do my best for them.

Only Shade's tale can be seen in the tall grass

Little Happy goes with the big guys but, sticks close to dad

My Pride and Joy

The Opening to his favorite meadow

The road that runs into the lake and leads to nowhere

His favorite hidden path to the lake where he swims

I've walked this ground for years but today I paid particular attention to everything around me.  It all took on a new importance.  Soon this all would be a memory, and later a distant memory.

The tree that Douglas slipped and fell from

This spot where the old road leads directly into the water is the favorite spot for swimming.

When our walks would take us to the dead end road;  they would pick up their gate and almost race to the end of it where the lake water awaited them.  They would swim and lounge in the coolness of the water and just be water dogs.

I wanted to walk through the ruins again and look at the surrounding countryside.  It is most beautiful here.  I've not seen any place more beautiful.

It is growing time to leave.  We would walk out the longest route I know through the meadows.  I wanted them to run and thoroughly enjoy the morning.

Magnificent in the Summer.  So Green!

My little boy waiting for me

They ran through the grass and I walked slow, allowing them every opportunity to make the most of the morning.  To tell the truth;   the closer we got to the truck the tighter my throat became at the thought of not having this beauty at my back door any longer.

"Come on, Come on, Come on Shade.  Faster, Faster!"

"Faster, faster;  Good girl, good girl."

Ha;  funny, beautiful shade!

You see;  this place has been a beautiful safe haven for them.  They have had the opportunity to live as intended;  in nature.  They are part of this place and know every inch of it.  This gorgeous green island has been a get away for them, and me.

The truck is just over the next hill.  I stop and turn around to cement the view in my mind.. I can not believe that soon this will be memories.  I have it all documented on this blog.  I knew this period in time would occur.  I can come back occasionally myself by motorcycle but, I would need the truck to bring the dogs.  And I'm afraid I can not afford the travel costs with gasoline at nearly four dollars a gallon.  So, you see, it's not for me I am sad.  It is for them.  They probably will never see this beautiful old park again.  The familiar meadows and the little trails they love to follow will not see their footprints anymore.  Douglas has his favorite squirrel tree that he always visits but doesn't know that this is the last time he will see it.  The rabbit chases that always end with the rabbit laughing from afar will become memories.  The cool breeze that bends the tall grasses and carries the fragrance of the wildflowers to their muzzles will be only something that happened once upon a time.  I look at them as they climb into the truck and tears run down my face.  They don't understand.  They just don't know.  And, maybe I don't either....