LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, July 2, 2010

Fridays are Golden

Men would come for miles around to go quail hunting with my father and his English Setter, Peerless Dan. My father could hunt an entire field with Dan using hand signals and the occasional whistle. Dan never missed a covey and Dan never broke a point. Well, almost never. You see, Dan's only bad habit was that he would point if he found a turtle. No amount of training could correct this. Eventually my father learned that if there were no quail, then there was a turtle somewhere. My father accepted this flaw in his dog and loved him dearly.

The other day my husband called me out to the driveway. There was a box turtle just beginning to cross near the garage. My first thoughts were of my father and Dan. And I wondered what our girls would do if they encountered a turtle.

Here is the turtle, idly walking onto the driveway.



When the girls came out, Lucy immediately noticed the turtle and ran right up to investigate. As usual, Ellie stayed cautiously behind. Note the position of Lucy's tail. A straight up tail in a Golden means she is excited and tense and ready for the unexpected.


As soon as she decides the turtle represents no threat, Lucy's tail drops and she checks out the strange creature.



Ellie comes over to investigate.


The girls take a close look at the turtle.




A REALLY close look at the turtle.


The girls did not paw at the turtle nor try to turn it over. They were content to sniff it from all angles. When Ellie started to nudge it with her nose, I decided that was enough and sent the girls inside.

The turtle quickly emerged and started across the driveway once more. I decided to help the turtle cross and placed it near the edge of the woods. I hope the turtle will decide to live in our woods. What a treat.


The past weeks have brought pain and grief to many people, including some of my favorite bloggers. So this week I ask that all of us in the blogsphere lift up our thoughts and send healing energy to our friends in distress.

Have a safe and wonderful weekend as we celebrate our freedom!

21 comments:

Cheryl said...

Hi Caroline....the story of your father and the english setter made me smile.....

The turtle is amazing....I do hope that he stays in your wood. The girls are so funny....I love their gentle ways.

Sending positive and healing thoughts to those that are in need.......

I hope your weekend is a peaceful and happy one.....

Valerie Cummings said...

Oh I love the story of you father! And love seeing the girls on Fridays!!! Hugs Joey and Kealani

Busy Bee Suz said...

I love the story about your Dad and Dan, so cute.
When my dogs encounter a turtle one just stares at it and the other barks like a maniac letting me know we have an intruder.

Praying daily for those in need of it.
Have a nice weekend.
Suz

George said...

The pictures of the girls checking out the turtle are really cute. I also enjoyed the story of your Dad and Peerless Dan.
Have a wonderful weekend.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Carolyn, I enjoyed the story about your Dad and his setter.... How cute!!!!!

Your girls tickle me how they love to check things out... They sniff and sniff.... Bet the turtle was happy when you sent the girls back in the house.... Glad also that you helped the turtle on its journey....

Happy 4th.
Hugs,
Betsy

D.K. Wall said...

My turtle story is not quite so sweet.

Years ago, I came home from work one day, stepped out of my car and heard KLACK. Huh?

Looked into the backyard and Nikita was running around, tossing something into the air and catching it. KLACK.

Holy cow, I thought, the dog is tossing a boulder in the air and catching it. She is going to break teeth. KLACK.

I raced back into the yard and rescued the dizziest turtle you have ever seen.

I have no idea how long the game of catch went on, but the turtle took some serious recovery time in a quiet part of the yard before finally ambling on.

Jeannette StG said...

Haha, your beautiful doggies had some time with the turtle! The only pet we had )for a few days) was a turtle my then 5 year old daughter found, but we all agreed that Charlie should have more freedom than the box he lived in with us...

KGMom said...

Oh, I am not surprised there is an English setter in your dog background. Before we had Tipper, we had two lovely English setters in succession--Shannon and then Wanda. They were such wonderful girls.

I do love the tail straight in the air pose. Poor turtle--little did that turtle know it was to be the Friday fair for your blog.

abb said...

What a wonderful story - and memory! Dogs are just the most remarkable creatures at times. Just think, a dog that needed to "Save the Turtles"!

Barb said...

As usual, those Golden Girls are exerting their guard dog tendencies! They were making certain the turtles wasn't an intruder. I'm surprised they didn't take it across the driveway themselves - such gracious ladies.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

What a fun memory of "Peerless Dan!!"
What sweet pictures of your girls!! I love the box turtles too! When I was a kid and we'd see them on the road, my Mom would stop and we'd help it across or take it some place safe. I have to admit to still doing that whenever I see one--Old habits die hard! Have a wonderful weekend!!

Vicki Lane said...

My dogs ignore box turtles entirely -- a good thing since we have many, partially due to my relocating some that were in perilous locations.

Karin said...

Really enjoyed your story of your dad and his dog! Your dogs are so beautiful! Thanks for explaining about the tail - don't know about those things myself.

Just caught up reading your previous posts. Quite the story of last year's birthday, wow! Wish you a belated Happy Birthday and all God's best in the year ahead.

Blessings,
Karin

Jayne said...

I'll bet I've stopped in the middle of the road a half dozen times in the past weeks to help a box turtle cross. :c) I always fear they'll be hit by someone not paying attention. Loved seeing your girls gently explore the turtle and to hear about your dad's wonderful companion.

Anonymous said...

Our dog is fascinated by turtles, too. I worry about the snappers here at the beach.

Peerless Dan... I love it!

Happy 4th of July. After last year, what can I say but... CELEBRATE!

How Sam Sees It said...

What a nice story about your father and his dog - it makes me smile just thinking about it!

We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sam

Unknown said...

Love of mountains and dogs - two things we have in common. I am going to try to stop by here more often. Happy 4th o'July from a kindred spirit.

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

I'm sure Milwaukee if fine, but I am happy for you to be back in your mountains. An afternoon with a box turtle is only one of the many appalachian pleasures. nellie

Nance said...

So many of my liberal blogger friends, especially the ones I know in Florida, are just on the verge of despair. It's time to dig deep and, also, to turn briefly to whatever is both safe and therapeutic...and, of course, we shouldn't feel guilty for that.

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone. I'm not at all sure why my father is so much on my mind lately. He died far too young almost 30 years ago.

Herd - OMG. That is so funny! Glad you rescued the dizzy little thing.

Twisted Fencepost said...

Instead of "hand" signals, Lucy was giving Ellie "tail" signals. Amazing how they talk but never say a word.