The same dawn glistened over a small farm in Georgia. The sky was a perfect light blue, so commonplace that no one noticed. Even now, the sticky summer heat was rising. Today would be hotter than yesterday; if that was possible.
She was speckled with sterling silver hair. Both paws stretched outward. Her dark brown hazy eyes scanned the horizon. The only movement she could see was the new puppy.
He bounced playfully in the field, trying to jump higher than his own shadow. He was black and brown, at a distance you would not notice the brown. He was old enough that today was the second day he was allowed off of his chain.
The golden retriever would never speak unless something needed to be said; a sign of maturity. The pup had never shut up. His high pitched yaps and squeals were endless. The golden retriever ignored all of the nonsense, she knew better.
Only a few life lessons need to be taught. Creatures focus too much on what does not matter. It takes one’s whole life to know what is worth focusing on. We all know dogs communicate with each other. They emphasize smell and emotion. Barking is just the easiest part for another creature to notice.
The pup made one high pitched bark the elder could not ignore. Human translation was simple: “does my size and color determine my heart?”
One long sharp bark out of the golden retriever held the answer. “Your breed and size mean nothing. What you do is everything.” The elder rose to her feet, she continued: “Your actions to protect those who provide for us prove your heart.” She jumped backward and hunched down in a playful fashion that seemed years in the past.
All creatures know how canines signal catch me. The pup knew. He knew everything. He knew he could run faster. The golden retriever knew to run towards the steep part of the hill. Her legs were much longer and she would easily win the race.
The two dashing dogs gave life to the early morning on the farm. It was almost impossible for them to not get distracted by all of the wonderful smells. The thrill of the race kept them in toe. Each dog ran at full speed. The pair began the steep ascension of the hill.
At the top of the hill, the golden retriever turned backward sure of what would be seen. The puppy had begun to climb up the hill and was looking up. “We are all capable. Prove your heart.” The puppy ran forward. Getting to the top this way was hard!
Neither of them saw it, that is where the danger lies. Not in the venom, or the teeth, in how close it can get to you before you comprehend the danger. Some creatures only communicate through their actions. The hissing is merely a side effect of using their tongue to smell. A foul hunter neared the mark. The copperhead looked golden in the morning sun.
The pup saw the grass move and barked, still thinking everything was fine. He did not know grass could move on its own! The elder turned with enough time to see the creature begin to coil up. The prey it had picked was the larger of the two. It was the one the snake had sensed; the first one up the hill.
The puppy ran toward the creature it had never seen before barking. In an instant, the snake changed targets to the puppy that was closing in on it. The golden retriever realized she ran them to their demise.
At that moment the puppy charged. No one expected it, especially not the snake. It sprang forward not factoring the pup would jump. It was a narrow mid-air miss.
Both of the dogs ran back down the hill. Nothing was playful about their speed, both were afraid. At the farmhouse, both were tired enough to lie down after drinking from their bowls.
It was uncommon for there to be complete silence among dogs. Normally there is subtle movement all with great meaning. The golden retriever spoke again. “You have the heart of a wolf. This world will see you as small. Show them all how big your heart is.”
The movement inside of the house meant their daily adventure was just beginning.
Never give up on life. Never give up on love.
That’s it. That’s all:
-Nathan Hall