My niece lives in the city.
“How does your dog get exercise?” I asked.
“We walk together and she is always on a leash,” said Judi.
I live in rural Virginia – in a place where the land stretches unbothered by human clutter for many acres, first over a sunny hillside and then through a forest primeval. Bill keeps a wide swath open by clearing fallen trees and limbs and even mowing with his big tractor, where mowing is possible.
We once shared our home with other beloved critters who roamed this path, and Bill even built a little bench where we could sit and listen to the birds sing. The critters (all the dogs and horses) lived long but have long since gone. The last was Rozie the rescue dog we lost in October.
We are without critters now and missing them all, sometimes still crying.
Then Judi called.
She asked if we would consider taking care of her German Shepherd, Noche, for two weeks.
Of course Noche is here now! And her first day walk was free!
No leash. No collar. No restraints.
The land, the forest, and the hill top were all hers!
And she ran high speed, body outstretched, like a jaguar in full gear,
And sprinted just far enough ahead to keep us in sight, then stopped and waited.
“Is this o.k.?” she seemed to ask. “Why aren’t you running too?”
And off she would go again dashing, leaping, almost flying with an observable exuberance, bounding across the hillside and through the woods. My laughter covered a kind of swelling irrepressible joy in my heart. Her leaping and sprinting shouted a doggie cry of “Look at me! I’m running free!”
Tonight Noche is relaxed snuggled up on her bed at the foot of my bed. She is mellow after a good dinner.
I hope she knows that here lies safety, warmth and love.
I hope she is reliving her adventure running wildly unleashed in a dream come true.
And I hope she thinks this is a doggie spa where tomorrow she can once again run free.
Am I dog sitting?
What do you think?
I think that is one happy, tired dog.
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Oh, I think you’re dog sitting…and dog loving!
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There is truth in your observations Dianna! Much love to you too. 🙂
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She has not budged for several hours now. 🙂
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🙂 Those little 4-legged critters will really tug at your heart strings!
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She is beautiful!!!!!
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You are in your glory – I can tell!!! I can feel your joy coming through the internet and I can imagine the ear to ear grin on your face :). Noche is one lucky doggie!
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Sounds to me like you might be ready to take the next step. 😉
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I think there may be a problem. She may not want to go home!
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You’re spoiling that pooch! She’s one lucky and tired dog. 🙂
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I think Noche has found out how awesome a visit to Aunt D can be!!
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Oh, I loved this post! The image you painted with words of the joy Noche feels running free just planted a huge smile on my face. I think exuberance is a good word to describe you both. I think you’re a natural at dog sitting….um loving!!
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Lucky girl living in the country for a while and lucky both of you for the company and distraction.
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Lucky is the right word Georgette. Country life is all it’s “cracked up to be.” 🙂
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You are making me smile too Cindy! I tried hard to say in words what I could see Noche was feeling as she dashed across the landscape. She is so happy to be here and we are so happy to have her – even if it is only for a short time.
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Sounds like many a beautiful animal will share the home you and Bill made with love even if they go home in the end.
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As any dog would be at Aunt L’s too! 🙂 Thanks Laura.
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You are so sweet Jill! But the curse of dog loving for me is thinking I feel what they feel. So I spoil Noche hoping to make her less fearful being left with total strangers. Thank goodness it seems to be working this time.
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Hahahaha! This may be true. And we may not want her to go home either!
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Bill says “absoutely not.” I say “maybe.” Who knows?
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The grin is definitely there Cindy! You are very perceptive. 🙂
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I definitely agree!!!! 🙂
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You’re a good momma! 🙂
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Yes, and one day I know it will be cats instead of dogs. I know this Dianna because my Mom was a dog person until she became a cat person. 🙂 And watching you and yours is already leading me in that direction……
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What a lucky dog. I hope she can adjust to going home and the leash again. Maybe she can spend some weekends at the spa?
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That’s a wonderful direction in which to head!! And I’m glad to lead you there….! Working at our office now with Gypsy lying behind me in my chair (good thing I always sit on the edge of the seat!).
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Well ! there’s one happy dog and one happy lady. I can just picture Noche bounding across the countryside . What a delight to see. This brings me to tell you about my poor Ben, he is so poorly as he has a problem breathing because of an enlarged heart and kidney problem and seems to be losing his spirit and does not want to go for his walks He is on medication which does not seem to help. So its another trip to the Vets tomorrow. I am dreading losing him. You know the feeling don’t you Dora.
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Oh Rita, my heart goes out to you and Ben. You are experiencing the most difficult part about sharing your lives. Yes, I definitely know how you feel as we have just been through that pain too and it never gets any easier. i hope the vet can find some medications that will help, but I know from experience that Ben will tell you when enough is enough.
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🙂
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You are so perceptive Kate! We were just talking about offering to dog sit to give my niece and her husband long weekend getaways.
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🙂
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That might be a good solution Eunice…. will see how this goes.
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🙂
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It will be so sad when she has to go home. It must seem like paradise to her. Walking on a lead is not the same as being free is it? Our dogs love the beach near our house. It’s only small but it’s an off leash area. They smell everything sometimes twice in case they have missed anything 🙂
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It sounds like both Noche and you are having a wonderful time. 🙂
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Thanks Judy! And yes, it will be sad for us when she has to go home, but I know Noche will rejoice to be back to familiar surroundings and the people who love her so dearly. I’m hoping my niece and husband will bring Noche back for occasional long weekends so she can have those “free” days off leash, and they can explore more of Virginia. 🙂
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She looks beautiful. I think she knows there is lots of love in your home Dor.
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Ahhh, the joys of experiencing freedom! I loved reading this. So inspirational. I think your heart is singing as fast as she was running.
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We are getting used to each other now – Noche and Bill and me. I think it will be very hard to part with her when it’s time to go.
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Off leash! Sounds like a dog’s dream come true!
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Could be. And we love watching her. 🙂
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What a gift you have given Noche. She may want to visit you often.
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🙂 🙂
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Indeed! 🙂
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Such a lovely post and what a gorgeous, adorable dog Noche is. I grew up with Alsatians, they are such good, loyal friends.
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Thank you Dina. Noche has since moved to California and we miss her so……
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