The things we do for our pets
Moose & Maggie
Last week, we had terrible rain and storms. Much to our ducks’ pleasure, the creek behind our house rose exponentially and all our pastures were several feet under water. Not only was the water very cold, it was like a rushing river, taking logs, limbs and debris down along the way.
As it happens, that was the day my daughter didn’t close the door all the way when she got home from school and our two young labs, Moose and Maggie Mae didn’t miss the opportunity to bolt out the door to freedom. Normally, this wouldn’t be such a big deal - until the dogs spied the ducks enjoying a swim in their new found river. And off they went! That’s what Labrador Retrievers do whether you want them to or not…they fetch ducks.
As the dogs got closer, the ducks just swam out deeper until the dogs had no chance of reaching them. Moose and Maggie are both under a year old and it had been months since they’d been in swimsuit shape, so they tired pretty quickly as the creek swept them along and into the neighboring wooded area, where I lost sight of them. Not sure what to do, I decided that if I didn’t go out and get them, they weren’t going to make it back, as they had no chance of reaching any high ground.
So, I ran into the house, put on a pair of jeggings that wouldn’t be as heavy as jeans, slipped on the husband’s fishing waders, strapped my cell phone high up on my arm to keep it dry, and began wading out into the water. The temperature of the water was cold enough to make me catch my breath as I went deeper up to above my knees. No sight of the dogs yet, I continued going, nervous of what I might step on (are the snakes out?) or worried I might step into one of the hundreds of divots and holes out in the pasture. I hate going in water when I can’t see what’s beneath me! Up to my waist now, I’m calling and calling for the dogs. I dare not go any deeper for fear of getting caught up in the flowing water and carried away myself.
Finally, I hear splashing then I see Moose swimming toward me, against the current. He is scared and tired, but he’s going to make it as I inch towards him to grab his collar. I don’t see Maggie and I’m panicking. I keep calling for her and after several seconds, I see her head bobbing up and down as she is paddling toward me. She’s struggling to keep her head above water, as she is not as strong a swimmer as Moose is yet. I’m praying I don’t have to go out any further as she slowly makes progress and I’m able to reach out and grab her. I’m so relieved and can’t wait to get out of here!
I trudge back toward the shallow, holding one dog in each hand by the collar helping them stay afloat until they can touch bottom. Straining against the current and water-filled boots I’m wearing, I reach the shore panting and breathing like I’ve just run a marathon. Note to self: Got to work on that cardio.
I’m just so thankful everything worked out and all is well. It could have gone much worse. And I hope all the kids who were watching this unfold understand the dangers of flash floods since they were all talking about putting a canoe in earlier in the day.
As a special treat, Moose and Maggie are getting homegrown chicken mixed in with their regular dog food. I’m roasting one of our older roosters along with the meat bird I’m making for the family. Many of the older, dispatched roos that have a small carcass are better used as soup or stew. And because of their age, the meat isn’t as tender. On the other hand, a Cornish Cross (meat bird) has lots of breast meat and only lives to be 7-8 weeks old before it’s processed. This is the kind of chicken we’re used to purchasing in the store. Problem is, you’ll never get close to the nutrition from a store-bought bird as in a pasture raised bird.
Moose and Maggie, enjoy your home cooked meal. I know you would’ve rescued me if I were in trouble. Ahhhhh….The things we do for our pets!
Farm On Friends and stay in the shallow!
Alisa Wyatt
Contact Me Here to get your whole chicken from Buckeye Barn TN.
