Snow Pup in Siberia

The forecast on this January day was miserable - subzero, dangerously gusty winds, and blizzard potential.  The report aired while David was in mid-flight from California to Siberia for an expedition planned long before wintertime.  He was accustomed to consistent warm weather in sunny Southern California, so he was nervous to exit the plane when it touched down hours and miles from home.

David was a paleontologist following a lead from a dig he was granted in the California desert to the frozen tundra of Siberia.  "I have a reason for being here," he thought to himself throughout the whole of the plane ride.

When he exited the plane and directly onto the tarmac, he was greeted by a local on a dog sled that fit two people and six grown dogs...and a puppy in training.

"Hello!" David shouted over the howling winds and driving snow.

"How can you tolerate such harsh winter conditions?!"

The local looked at him, directed him to his place on the sled, and ordered the dogs to run.  The local did not speak English.

As they raced through feet of snow to get to David's destination as soon as possible, David examined the dogs.  He personally never had a dog as a pet growing up or now as an adult.  He did love dogs, though. 

The breed of the pack looked similar to his college mascot - Go Huskies!  The markings and build were an exact match to the Husky breed, as far as he knew of course.  The puppy, on the other hand, was sheer snow white but did have Husky eyes - sharp blue.

A snow pup in Siberia, David laughed to himself.

The local finally slowed the pack to a halt when they arrived at David's destination - a winter worn building acting as a makeshift work station and living quarters for David and the team he would be working with.  Just as the local and the dogs began to part ways, the puppy freed itself from the pack and jogged toward David.

"Wait!  You forgot the puppy!"

The local, who was within earshot, turned to face him, smiled, and in the barest of the English language replied,

"Snow pups know leaders."

He waved goodbye and ordered the dogs to run.

David looked down to the puppy.

"Hmm.  You know, I actually am co-leading this expedition.  Do you see me as a leader?"

The snow pup barked happily.

David lightly laughed at the response.

"I lead a team of graduate students every school year - far away from here.  Do you see me as a leader for this?"

The snow pup barked happily.

David laughed once more.

"Well little guy, will you help guide me while I am in Siberia?"

The snow pup looked deeply into David's eyes.

"When I leave for home, do you want to come with me?"

The snow pup happily barked.

"Paw five, snow pup!"

They met hand to paw, creating a lasting bond in Siberia and back home.

The Dachshund Doc

The workday was long and busy.  He was exhausted and happy to be home with his family...until he got the call.

John Simmons is a veterinarian by profession with specialty in canine health.  He brings his trusted pup, Murphy, with him to work every day.  The staff loves little Murphy and all of the dog patients take to him.  Murphy is a purebred Dachshund and is called Murphy, the Dachshund Doc at Paw Five Hospital.  He feels rather important with this title.

Murphy has an unusual instinct when he meets the dog patients.  In fact, his human dad - John - and all of the hospital staff rely on his sixth sense nature, if you will, with difficult cases.

You see, Murphy was born with a medical condition that caused his little body to swell from a low thyroid.  He was not expected to survive after birth because his infant body was so unnaturally large, putting dangerous pressure on his heart and lungs especially.  He was kept in the hospital for observation and treatment.  When he responded to the treatment the very best way he could, he became available for adoption.  His forever home was none other than that of the doctor who saved him - John Simmons.  He takes medication every day now and enjoys his required long, brisk walks with John daily to keep his illness under control.  Six years later, he has a good bill of health.

Murphy's unusual instinct is based on his own health.  From dog to dog, he can tell just how unwell a patient is before John examines the patient.  Murphy will play with a dog just in for an annual visit.  Murphy will lend a paw to a dog with a simple cold.  Murphy will bark when he senses distress.  These are the difficult cases.

And then the call.

"Hi, Dr. Simmons.  We have an emergency case that just arrived.  The patient is a ten-year-old female German Shepherd with suspected signs of cancer.  She is crying profusely and appears to be in a great deal of pain.  Please come in a.s.a.p."

"I'll be there soon."

John quickly grabbed his wallet and keys.

"Murphy, come on.  We have an emergency!"

Murphy barked in agreement and raced his dad to the car.

When they arrived, John went into emergency room-type mode.

The vet assistant walked the patient to an exam room where John and Murphy were waiting.

The assistant and John lifted the German Shepherd onto the table.

"What is her name, Lacey?"

"Godiva."

"Hi, Godiva.  My name is Dr. Simmons and this is my doggie assistant, Murphy.  He and I are going to take excellent care of you, okay?"

Godiva whimpered in pain.

Murphy pressed his little Dachshund body against Godiva's large German Shepherd body in reassurance that she would be okay.

After several hours of examination, testing, and pain control, John halted his efforts.  There was nothing else he could do...but Murphy never barked.  He knew what John didn't.

Godiva would be okay.  Yes, she had cancer.  Yes, she too would be on medication.  Yes, she would be a frequent patient for observation and testing.  But she would be okay because Murphy's instinct just knew.  He did not want her to be a lost cause the way John thought he might have been so long ago.

When Murphy reached out his paw to touch John, John then knew as well.  He went into the waiting room to talk with Godiva's family and they cried in great relief.

"Thank you, Dr. Simmons.  Thank you so, so much."

"You are more than welcome.  You can come on back if you want."

Yes, they did.  When they entered the exam room, they saw Murphy still close to Godiva.

"Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, I would like to introduce to my dog, Murphy.  He is adored by the hospital staff and the patients.  We suspect he has a sixth sense with sick dogs because he tends to bark when there is an emergency.  We lovingly call him the Dachshund Doc.  Interestingly, he never barked when I was working with Godiva.  I truly think he knew she would be okay."

In slowing tears, both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas thanked Murphy for somehow saving their girl.

The Dachshund Doc

Love Always, Chessie

As she fell into forever sleep, sorrowful tears awoke many happy memories.

"Who is this little girl?" Dell asked the pet store owner as she scratched the ears of a rather shy puppy.

"Why that is Blue!  She is very reserved because so many of the other puppies in her crate have received a lot of attention and adoption.  We think she is adorable, though," said the owner.

"You know, she is adorable...and so sweet!"

(Blue was feeling happy as a clam with the special attention she was getting and nearly fell into a trance with feel-good ear scratches.)

"I'll adopt her," Dell happily announced.

As Dell placed Blue securely in her car and got in herself, she paused to start the engine to really look at Blue.

"Hmm.  You look like an Australian Blue Heeler, so that must be why you are named Blue.  There is a checker shape on the top of your head, though...just like a chess board.  I think I want to call you Chessie.  Deal?"

Chessie somehow knew and barked happily in agreement.

Chessie was a loved dog that equally loved back.  She was strongly protected by her human family and she was even more protected of them.

As Chessie grew, so did her family.

On one late summer afternoon, Dell's daughter, Anne, called with exciting news.

"Hi Mom.  Do you have a minute?"

"Hi Anne.  I have a minute.  What's up?"

"Well, here's the thing.  I'm pregnant!"

"Oh honey, congratulations!  I know how hard you and Anthony have been trying.  Just so exciting!  My first grandchild.  Wow!"

Anne visited her mother often for advice throughout the pregnancy.  She was to be a new mom and needed constant reassurance from her mom.

Chessie offered soothing comfort as well.

Chessie was a unique dog.  She was fixed early in life and could not have puppies of her own.  She held a profound maternal instinct, though, and leaned against Anne's belly every time Anne visited her mother.  She knew there was a baby in Anne's growing belly.  She loved that baby a great deal before he or she was even born...

...on May 13th, Anne's baby girl was born.  The labor and delivery were difficult for Anne, so she needed time to settle in at home after discharge from the hospital.  When she felt okay to travel, even for the few miles between her mother's home and her condo, Anne wanted to introduce her daughter to Chessie.

"Hi Chessie!  There is someone I want you to meet."

Anne gently knelt down with her baby securely in her arms and let Chessie look at the baby she considered hers as well.

"Her name is Anna Elizabeth.  Ten fingers.  Ten toes.  As healthy as can be.  What do you think, Chessie?"

Chessie was in a motherly trance with Anna Elizabeth.  Anna was hers...

...When Dell or Anne took Anna for walks in her stroller, Chessie gently but firmly leaned into the side of the stroller.  If a stranger walked passed, Chessie growled.  If a stranger looked suspicious, Chessie barked loud to protect her little Anna.  No one would get past her.

When Anna was able to sit upright, she loved to tug hard at Chessie's ears   Chessie happily soaked in the baby's love...her baby's love.

Chessie soaked in all the love her heart could possibly hold.  This helped get her through devastating cancer...that eventually took her life.

Dell and Anne were devastated and grieved for some time.

On the last walk Dell took Anna on with Chessie, Chessie accidentally stepped in wet cement, leaving a paw print that would soon dry and preserve.  Dell didn't notice this until the day she brought her little girl's ashes home.

If her little girl could, she would say,

"Love always, Chessie."

Bedtime Tails Second Act

Dear readers and passersby,

I am so happy to share exciting news.  I am returning to Bedtime Tails!

Now I do need to provide upfront disclosure - I will only be posting once a week, so please do not think that I have abandoned Bedtime Tails.  The creative process is long and detailed, hence only once a week.

I hope that once again you will enjoy my stories.

Paw five!