Slim Randles is my guest again today. This time with a sweet story about a dog and his job. I’ve just returned from a quick trip to Austin, so no time to bake. Does anyone have a cookie or scone to share with our coffee?
Before I turn the stage over to Slim Randles, I want to remind folks about the contest that I’m sponsoring with a group of terrific authors over at The Kindle Book Review. Enter now for a chance to win a 10″ Kindle Fire, $25 Amazon eCard, and a Bookworm coffee mug. The giveaway ends June 30, 2018. You can enter every day for more chances to win. And while you’re there, check out the books and maybe find a new author you’d like.
Now here’s Slim.
The first few days of summer vacation were hard on Billy. He was there, at his appointed post – that being the school crossing – at the right time of morning, but look as he may, he couldn’t find any kids.
He couldn’t find Martin, either. The perennial crossing guard, with his vest, sign and whistle, was home for the summer. So were the kids. School was out.
Billy, being the official town dog since Sally passed away on Doc’s porch, decided on the fourth day of no kids that he might as well do something else.
He cruised on down to the Rest of Your Life retirement home and got ear rumples from all the residents there. That’s a good way to start summer vacation. Then he dropped over to the Gates of Heaven Chinese Restaurant, and Delbert Chin gave him some scraps out the back door.
On his way to the Mule Barn truck stop at the edge of town, Billy came across Dud Campbell, walking slowly and being very quiet. Dud rubbed Billy’s ears, then sat on a low wall. Billy rested his chin on Dud’s leg and looked up at his face in admiration.
“Why is it,” Dud asked this big brown dog, “that you always know the right thing to do to help people? I think it’s a gift and you have it.”
Billy wagged his tail slowly and kept looking up into Dud’s face.
“You just keep going on, don’t you,” Dud said, “no matter what else happens.”
Dud sighed and stood up. “I guess there’s a lesson there for all of us, Billy. Thank you.”
Billy continued on toward whatever lunch scraps might be available at the back door to the Mule Barn. Smelled like chicken fried steak from here. Chicken fried steak is good. Any scraps usually has some French fries with it, too. And gravy.
Ear rumples, Chinese breakfast, helping a friend, and then cream gravy? Nothing wrong with being the town dog.
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Brought to you by Tractor Supply Company “Everything but the tractor.”
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Slim Randles writes a nationally syndicated column, “Home Country” and is the author of a number of books including
Billy needs to wander past the local ice cream stand. A good town dog has to have ice cream.
So true, LD. Especially in the summertime. A nice bit of ice cream can cool any dog down. 🙂