Spring was gently working its way to the farm, day by day pushing the winter chill away. The days were getting warmer and the trees were starting to fill with leaves. Momma’s azaleas were starting to show buds and would soon bloom into a symphony of color. I knew before long that I would be roaming the fields again and since I was getting older maybe without my sisters. I would go outside every day looking at the thermometer waiting for that magic sixty-five degrees. The jacket would be left on the hook and off I would go exploring the possibilities of great adventure.
The smell of breakfast and the laughter of my Mom and Daddy drew me toward the kitchen. As I came out of my room to eat breakfast my heart leaped with joy for sitting there in my chair was a beautiful puppy. She ran to me kissing me and loving me, her tail wagging with excitement. I asked is she was mine. Daddy smiled and nodded his head yes then said what are you going to call her, after all, a dog needs to have a name.
Cookie was the color of Mom’s lemon cookies so I said I will call her Cookie.
We spent the day running the field and sniffing along the creek bed following the tracks of the night creatures. She chased a few rabbits and found out the hard way that roosters didn’t run unless it was toward you, and very quickly Cookie found out how unpleasant that could be. We heard the dinner bell ringing from the distant cotton field, and we headed back toward the house to wash up and eat. Cookie caught the scent of Mom’s cooking and left me in a cloud of dust to get there first. Mom had a plate of leftover pork chops and biscuits waiting on the porch for her.
After supper, my sister, Carol, always played the piano and Cookie sang. Momma told us to get ready for bed and when I came out Cookie was sound asleep on Carol’s piano. I was smitten and I would grow to love her so much.
The next day was unusually hot for March so Cookie and I went to the creek to play in the water and maybe catch some catfish for supper. The chill had not left the creek and we were in and out of the water as quickly as possible. We were walking on the edge of the plank bridge and when I looked back to see where she was, I slipped on the wet plank and tumbled toward the creek below. I landed on my back, knocking the wind out of me, and I couldn’t breathe nor could I find my voice to cry for help. I just floated there hearing Cookie barking, but I was unable to respond to her distress.
Mom was at the well near the bridge, but I couldn’t shout loud enough for her to hear me. Cookie jumped from the bridge into the cold water. She was whimpering and licking my face, but I still could not get up. The water was cold, and I could see the sunlight sparkling through the trees. A part of me was whispering surrender, let go and fly. I felt a great peace and warming of the water while another part of me wanted to get up and run home.
Cookie had saved me and even as a puppy she knew we had a bond and she loved me as deeply as I loved her.
In the distance, I could hear Cookie barking near the well urging my Mom to come with her. I felt myself drifting away like I was floating toward a bright morning sunrise. I thought that it should be dark under the bridge, but the light was brilliant and shimmering. Suddenly I felt myself being pulled back, hearing Mom calling my name and dragging me out of the water. Cookie was licking my face and barking until I felt a slam and my breath came back with several big gasps and there I was with Mom and Cookie. Cookie had saved me and even as a puppy she knew we had a bond and she loved me as deeply as I loved her.
Point Of View
Cookie was my first dog and my best friend. Our days were adventurous and exciting filled with following her deep into the woods on paths that only she knew. Even after our mishap at the creek, we spend many days swimming and fishing. Cookie would sleep on my bed every night and I was never afraid. Most of all she taught me how to love and how wonderful friendships were. I hope that someday I will find her by the creek, and we will run the fields together again.
What a heart warming story Larry. We always had dogs growing up but they was mom and dads or everyone’s. My first dog of my own was a Doberman named Toby. He was a good dog I felt lost without him when he disappeared from the farm I lived on. It wasn’t like him to wonder off. I.often think about him and wonder what happened to him.
I loved that dog so much. I now have four dogs and two cats. Thank you for reading my memories and sharing your memories
You got me Larry! I’ve had 3 collies in my lifetime and if there was ever a chance to have another one, it would be a collie. Mine was exactly how you described yours. My first collie was a beautiful black standard big boy with the sweetest eyes in the world, wagged his tail whenever he saw me, because we were PALS! Everyday roaming our mountainside, literally 4 acres of land around our house was ours! He and I knew every inch of that parcel of land. Fond fond memories! (I started chapters of our adventures and now you’ve nudged me to go back to them to see if there’s any value in them.) Thanks for sharing and these animals were given to us by God to do exactly what Cookie did-save your life and love you, teaching us loyalty and true love.
That brings back memories for me from my own childhood…. creeks, fields, running with the puppies. Thank you for the smiles.
Puppies are great and bring us great joy