Well folks, it takes winning the genetic lottery to pull off what your truly humble mutt, Otis, was able to do.
Throughout a week of brrr-cold negative degrees, I pulled off a feat few dogs can brag about. I showed Mom my hunting prowess and mighty strength by digging through feet-deep snow to uncover deer carcasses and drag them to her doorstep.
First, I proudly showed Mom a deer leg. Sadly, My Mama wasn’t impressed. I was shocked and dismayed by the tiny, forced smile she bestowed on my fabulous and tasty find. I feared my grand trophy (that I assure you I went to considerable lengths to dig up and carry) would disappear under the cloak of darkness and Mom’s machinations.
Luck was on my side as it was too dark and way too cold for Mom to seize and hide my deer leg. As soon as Mom opened the door in the light of morning, I was out running with that leg firmly grasped in me mouth.
Snow was piled halfway to the heavens. A mile-long superbly plowed driveway snaked through the dormant corn fields. Once I got past the first curve in the road, Mom’s I-spy eyes couldn’t see the pile of deer parts I was collecting.
The next parts I unearthed were excellent bones encasing organ pouches. I took great care to keep those bones connected from the skull to the butt bone. When I delicately brought the skeleton to the road, the spine was still attached to the rib cage.
I figured the road was a great place to keep the deer remains. That notion was stomped when an SUV driver came by. I don’t understand why the two-leggeds have to disrupt my plans continuously. Did they really think that simply throwing the cadaver parts over the snow ridge and into the deep fluffy white stuff would keep me from retrieving them?
Sure enough, a day later me deer bones were gone. My determination outweighed pending hyperthermia as I unearthed two deer sections instead of one. Yup, I’m a bit rankled that me one piece was cut in two and tossed aside with obvious disregard. I mean, the entire day was colored gray. I’m not a woofer who dwells on the past, so I’m sure tomorrow’s sunshine will bring joy.
At night I fervently prayed that we would stay at this place until the spring thaw. I fantasized about spending days digging and burying my treasures.
My last carcass still had a furry head and two legs. All these body parts were causing a mind-tizzy. By the time I got everything back on the road I was tired and had a hard time trying to figure out what I should chew on first.
The next day all my efforts and decisions were laid to rest as Mom announced that we were moving to another city and ALL deer parts were being left behind. Not having time to enjoy my find did cause me to pout until I started thinking about all the new adventures waiting at our next stop.
The family hosting our stay was befuddled as to what was happening to these deer and where in the heck I was finding them. They don’t speak “dog” as Mom does and Mom doesn’t ask about my finds anymore, so I guess it will always be their mystery.
Mom says we are headed to warmer weather. I hope the heat unfreezes her fingers so she posts more often. I fear many of my stories won’t be told and what a shame that would be.
💖 Love, Otis
