Black Day Black Dog

We have too many dogs.
Found one on the highway a few years back. He was at the side of Highway 20, just sitting there starving. Dying. Crying. Big black dog, part Lab and maybe part Dane. He couldn't move and didn't want us to put him in the car. Took both of us to get him in there. We got him home and nursed him back. He became our hero, our protector and our very close bud.

We called him Black Dog.
There's a Black Dog Bay (I think it's Bay, or landing or something) and there's a Black Dog Store and a Black Dog Fire Department out this way, so there is a precedent.

No way could you keep him in the fence. He actually flew over fences. I think he loved jumping them, he would often wait till you shut the gate and then fly over to walk with you. People who pulled into our driveway would always be met by the flying Lab. He would be at their car door before they even stopped. Everybody loves Black Dog.

He guarded the perimeter of our place. He guarded against the two dogs to the south of us, Ted and Judge. He's had lots and lots of spats with Ted over the years. Now they just keep a respectful distance from each other. He guarded us from squirrels. Dang near tore up the chicken coop because a squirrel got in there and Black Dog was protecting the chickens from that nasty squirrel. He guarded us from raccoons and possoms and the wild cats and whatever else was ever around.

He was known by everyone who lived down RanchLand Road. He would chase everybody's car as they went by. Well, almost everybody. Now that I think of it, he mostly chased noisy trucks. And out there are a lot of noisy trucks.

I got home yesterday and kept Black Dog inside while I walked Jake and Butty and Louie because Black Dog likes to encourage Jake (or anyone else who is game) to take off with him and run through the forest. Jake loves to do that but he's old and Black Dog is young and we're afraid that one of these days old Jake will just give out somewhere in the forest and never come back. He loves running with Black Dog though. All of them do. No matter how much we yell at them they'll take off if given the chance. And Black Dog will lead them who-knows-where. Somewhere where they get burrs and muddy and wet. Probably a pond somewhere and probably a glorious run.

I keep Black Dog inside when I walk Louie because Black Dog chases cars and now Louie is learning that bad habit from him. So the black guy stays inside for that. Then, when I walk Keisha-Belle and Noogie, I let Black Dog out with them. He doesn't cause trouble with them.

I let him out.
Came out of the garage with Keisha on a leash and Noogie running for the driveway because it was such a beautiful day after all this damnit heat. Black Dog saw a truck with a dog in the back. He chased it. Thump, bump.
The guy stopped.
He was very sorry.
Black Dog lived long enough for me to say "You dumb sonofabitch".
Cars stopped. People got out. "I see that dog every day. He chases me too". "Aww, did he get it? Aww that's too bad". Stuff like that.

Put him in the back of the truck. Took him out to the south pasture.
Sharon came over and helped me dig the grave.
Steve and Janet drove up on the gator.
We all said some words and said how much we all love that damned dog.
I covered the grave with some fencing and rocks.
Had to tell Ms Donna while she was at work. She cried.
I cried too. Inside all over.
Damned dog.