The Following Tail

Well, as promised, Uncle Bubba is back with a follow-up to the previous ending to the Tail Of 2 Dogs. Under the shadow of an old oak tree behind his garage, Uncle Bubba told me that we can learn a lot from a dog and I’m hear to tell ya that that’s true, so let me relate Bubbie’s view of it. In the last tale we heard of 2 dogs, and to quote C.S. Lewis, "The dog barks at strangers who have never done it any harm and wags its tail for old acquaintances even if they never did it a good turn (The Four Loves).” Remember King, the working dog that fiercely protected his master’s property? And then there was Willie, who chose to spend his days hanging around the house of a man that claimed to not even like him. That’s because dogs are pretty simple minded creatures, they have no conditions for what they do. So as not to insult dogs, nothing could be farther from Uncle Bubba’s truth, listen to him describe his dog that currently lives with him.

Francis David, Frankie, is a bulldog. As breeds go, Uncle Bubba and Sweet Pea would have no other. Frankie only has one concern each day: “Where do I fit in my pack?” Other things that he should be concerned with are taken care of by his master: Will I eat today? Where will I find my food? Will I play and get some exercise? Will I have time to rest? All of these things he receives without concern because of the affection and care of his “owners”.

Uncle Bubba said that he likes to sit on the couch in the evening and pet Frankie who is usually laying across his lap. He can feel the relaxed spirit of the dog. In moments like this, to paraphrase Lewis, we take them (the mutual affection and spirit of goodwill) for granted which is proper up to a point; it fits the comfortable, quiet nature of the feeling. Uncle Bubba reflects this quiet energy and knows that his dog is a warm, furry lump of pure love. Frankie only wants to be with Bubbie because it’s his place as a member of the pack, the family. Frankie never gets mad at Uncle Bubba if he does something stupid. Sometimes Uncle Bubba or Sweet Pea have to do things that Francis does care for, like a righteous yet ruckus of a toenail clipping, and the torturous tubby, yet they are for his own good. As much as Frankie doesn't like the treatment at the time, it is forgotten the moment that it’s over. He doesn’t hold a grudge, he’s just always happy to see his friend and is content just to spend time with him. Nothing more is required. One day Frankie got tangled up under Bubbie’s feet and Bubbie lost his balance and fell hard to the floor. He tried to save himself and attempted in one swift, graceless move to not fall on Frankie at the same time. With a clunk he hit the floor and Frankie let out a yelp as he scrambled away from the pile of Bubbie. Uncle Bubba lay there for a moment, he had no idea if he or Frankie was hurt. Then Frankie came over and excitedly licked his face and the two play wrestled on the floor as Bubbie laughed heartily. He wasn’t mad at Frankie and Frankie can not be upset with Uncle Bubba, he has instant forgiveness.

A dog does not care about what people think of him. A dog does not concern himself with the neighbors' business. If it doesn’t move, make a noise, or smell a dog isn’t interested in it. And what a dog perceives with it’s physical senses is only taken superficially; is it something to eat, something to chase? No, a dog is just a dog. Frankie is content to be with his family, to be petted, to be played with, and as a bulldog he lives to eat. Who of us wouldn’t benefit from this absence of ego? When Uncle Bubba sees his dog, or any dog, but especially Frankie he is inspired to live in the moment and act in love. Yessir, I can learn a lot from my dog.

Couch Surfin’: A Big Bulldog YAWN!