Pinkey and Ring




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" October 21, 2003 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart" You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to subscribe@write2theheart.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ Bob has had the pleasure to own or meet many unusual four-footed friends. We are truly blessed that he shares those encounters with us. ------------------------------------------------------------ Pinkey and Ring By Bob Shaw ------------------------------------------------------------ My Grandparents had an old Collie named Ring, getting her name from the snow-white collar the Collie is known for. By the time Pinkey, my blonde cocker spaniel came into our lives, Ring was an old hand around the farm. From the start, Ring considered Pinkey as her pup, and were best of friends. She took charge of her learning process, teaching her the ways of farm life, to avoid the dangers around the larger animals, mainly the horses. They were the “main crop” on the little farm. Grampa raised thoroughbred racehorses, and was very particular about their safety and treatment. It was a joy to watch the two dogs playing around the yard, and to watch them chase the field mice, and run the chickens back to the pen. Ring considered it as part of her herding job, and took it very seriously. Naturally, Pinkey took it as her job, too. There was never a feather harmed on the old hens, but you’d never convince them of it. There was one time when Pinkey tried to corral ‘Ol Tom. He was probably the meanest turkey in the state. She came running past Ring with her long ears trailing in the wind behind her. Ring braced herself in a fighting stance, her long curved eyeteeth showing and a look in her eyes that meant no nonsense. With a menacing growl, she stood between her pup and ‘Ol Tom. He might have been mean, but he wasn’t stupid. It ended then and there, and Pinkey learned the difference between chickens and turkeys. I was around fourteen when my Grandparents sold the farm, and moved away. Pinkey was brokenhearted and lost without her friend. Every once in a while, we’d take a weekend trip to the new place, about 100 miles away, and they’d pick right up where they left off. It was a new farm and there were new places to explore. A few years went by, and on one of the weekend trips, Grandma told us that Ring had passed away just a few days before. Pinkey searched all over trying to find her. She’d been gone for a couple of hours, and found me sitting by the back porch. She pawed at my pants leg, ran off a few feet and looked back to see if I was coming. It was clear that she had found something, and wanted me to follow. I was pretty sure I knew what it was, and followed her to a little hill behind the barn that overlooked the farm. Just beside the big oak tree was a small patch of freshly dug ground. Pinkey placed her paws on the grave and put her head between them, and looked up at me with those big sad eyes. I could see the tear lines running down her nose, and knew she had found her friend. I gently rubbed her head and said, “I know. It’s alright.” She followed me back to the house, and stayed close to me the rest of the day. As we were getting ready to leave, she stopped, looked toward the big oak tree as if she were saying a final good bye, then got into the car. She never went back to the gravesite, at least not that I’m aware of. On other visits, she was content to just stay with us, and enjoy "her" people. Just beyond this existence is a place called Rainbow Bridge. Several friends are there, waiting. One of them is a little blonde cocker spaniel named Pinkey. She’ll keep herself busy playing ball, chasing field mice and chickens, and exploring all the new places with her friend Ring. ‘Ol Tom? I really doubt she had to worry about him. He went someplace else. Bob Shaw CapeRabbit @ SEMO.Net You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses and email harvesting programs. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Bob and his wife Ronni live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Bob runs a bread sales route for the Lewis Baking Company.He has many stories in Write 2 the Heart’s archives. Bob and Ronni would love to hear from you. -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- I know Mary and a sweeter person you could never know. Though I only know her by way of the Internet, she is a true friend. Had it not been for her and a few others, who encouraged me over the last couple of years, my two books may never have been published! Mary has a heart as big as the whole outdoors! God bless her and Jay! Betty King I enjoyed Hope Hudson's words regarding God's will. How true it is that to be in His will we must be willing to change and grow. Thanks for sharing those wise words. Annettee --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Thaddeaus Howard Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ken Prieur Ryan Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner I went to my computer this morning to send David a "happy anniversary" email; after all it’s been thirty years. But I found that he beat me to the punch. Oh well, I’ll just pick up a cake and a card. I know I can do that first. God Bless, Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2003 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.