Dallas Does Bentwood

This was an email we received from Joel's brother and his wife, Dana.  Dallas, for those who don't know, is our Australian shepherd/catahoula leopard mix dog. She's about 60 lbs.  Jay and Dana have a Great Dane.  They graciously offered to take in Dallas while we are gone when it was clear she would soon be on the streets!  :) 

Jay was walking outside through the garage of his country club home mid afternoon on Saturday when the dogs brushed past him to play on the lawn.  In the past few weeks they had proven they wouldn't run down the street or simply take off.  The two pups preferred to lie down in the freshly mown grass and enjoy the activities of their family.  The athletic father was planning to play basketball with his two children.  This would never be.  Saturday was a new day.

The smaller dog, white with gray-black spots, walked onto the driveway without a care in the world.  She seemed just about ready to stretch out in the grass for a delightful roll when a large brown truck drove by.  It was a UPS delivery truck.  The pleasant afternoon was shattered.  The small dog transmformed into a snarling, barking aggressor who ran after the enormous truck.  She ran much faster than Jay could imagine.  This was a dog who groaned when she lay down or got up.  This was the dog that occasionally just didn't get up for hours.  The small dog hurtling down the street had strength, energy, and a furious spirit.  

The bewildered human ran after the canine-wonder calling her name repeatedly.  Desperately trying to catch up  to the dog and praying the driver wouldn't stop and get out, Jay stretched his long legs and ran faster than he had in years.  Gasping for breath, unable to call for the dog for lack of oxygen, Jay determined that he would simply tackle the dog as soon as he drew near.  Four blocks later the pup began to slow her pace.  Jay indeed tackled the animal and holding her collar rested on one knee as he gasped for each lung full of air.

The dog continued barking and growling ferociously as the truck drove around the fourth corner.  Those passing by marveled that the large man and the small dog seemed so intent on breathing and barking, respectively.  After what felt like a ton of weight was lifted from his lungs the tall man stood up, keeping his hand firmly gripped on the small dog's collar. The two walked back to the house.  The dog was pleased she had chased the horrible UPS truck away from her home.  She pranced with pride and delight from her accomplishment.  The tall man bent over keeping his large hand closed firmly around the small dog's collar.  Four blocks they pranced and bent (respectively) back to the garage.  Saturday was a new day.

The tall man put the small dog within the backyard fence.  He went inside the house and drained of all emotional strength and physical energy he lay down on the couch.  The dog trotted around the backyard telling all the other dogs in the neighborhood of her accomplishment.  The large dog who watched the event unfold finally got up from his nap beside the driveway and walking to the garage entrance scratched on the door asking to come in the house.  The amazed children allowed the dog inside and brought their exhausted father a glass of water.  With trembling hands he accepted the drink then fell back onto the couch exhausted and spent.  Dallas had come to Bentwood.  It would never be the same.