My Christmas Story...
Happy Holidays to you and yours, Eydie! I'm looking forward to a NEW Year filled with good times up ahead, especially the Disney trip!
Yesterday, I was taking my dog Sammy for a walk in Rock Creek Park, a national forest right here in D.C. Though the weather had been in the teens, yesterday Mother Nature provided us Washingtonians with blue skies and a whopping 56 degrees. Sammy is a 5-year-old, 120-pound black lab who still thinks he's a puppy. His real name is Sir Sampson of Hawthorn, according to his ancestral origins (LOL).
We strolled the dirt paths adjacent to Rock Creek, so Sammy could enjoy his all-time favorite pastime, "sniffies." I always liked the earthy smell of this forest, reminding me of happy times as a kid. While some dogs in the park like to socialize and frolic about off leash, Sammy prefers to keep his nose to the ground, following the scents. So I usually just let him lead the way and enjoy the scenery. Sometimes he likes to wade in the shallow parts of the creek and get himself a couple of sips. Even though Sir Sampson of Hawthorn comes from a long line of royalty, my poor old boy, webbed feet and all, never figured out how to swim.
After a short while, Sammy decided it was time to quench his thirst and get himself a few sips out of Rock Creek. Because of the previous cold front, there was a patch of ice on the water. In a split moment, I watched my beloved pet crash through the ice, because of his massive weight, unable to swim a lick to get himself out. He immediately looked up at me with panic and fright in his big brown eyes, fighting feverishly with both paws, but to no avail.
Deep in the forest and alone, or so I thought, I knew I had to act quickly or lose my Sammy. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, a father with his young daughter just happened to be in the vicinity. This quick-thinking kind man went to the creek’s edge, and while hanging onto a fallen-down tree, he managed to pull my dog out of the icy waters to safety. Still in shock, I kept thanking him over and over again. He quickly continued on his way, but before departing, he turned back and spoke these words to me, “Merry Christmas!”
[Quote by Axel Munthe] The dog is a saint. He is straightforward and honest by nature. He knows by instinct when he is not wanted; lies quite still for hours when his king is hard at work. But when his king is sad and worried, he creeps up and lays his head on his lap, "Don’t worry. Never mind if they all abandon you. Let us go for a walk and forget about it."
Receiving this e-card from a co-worker really brought a smile to my face, especially this morning. Click on the bird of
This Christmas Card and enjoy a little holiday spirit!
Seasons Greetings to all. Peace on earth, and goodwill to men!
JAM