A Sophie Belle Patterpaw Mystery
It was a day like any other. I was on the back porch reading; Sophie was in the backyard sniffing. All of a sudden a great commotion arose. The sound was a bit like marbles rattling around in a plastic bucket. It was coming from the backyard to the left of the porch steps. I put down my book quickly and hurried to see what the matter was.There was Sophie, her head in the gutter downspout up to her eyeballs. A high-pitched squeal and a vicious schnoodle growl were blending with the marbles-in-bucket sound to create a regular cacophony.
Then, right before my eyes, Sophie made a lunge and wedged her head even further, up to her ears in the downspout. She was stuck. She flopped over on her back, legs kicking in the air, body wiggling like a fish out of water. The squeals and growls were increasing in volume. While I was trying frantically to figure out how to unwedge my dog from the pipe, out she popped, chipmunk in mouth, and across the backyard she ran.
Not to be too outdone, I ran right after her. She stopped. "Drop it!" I ordered, but she was most averse to taking orders right now. There was yet the endgame to be played. I remembered that Vann had always told me that, no matter how distasteful to me Sophie's kills are, I must praise her for her prowess.
"Good girl!" I said with gusto while patting her on her black little head. "Goooooooood girl! Now drop it."
But Soph was still not ready to relinquish her booty. It took a few more coaxing good-girls before she let me have the by-now-quite-dead chipmunk for disposal.
Later in the house, Sophie had a treat and I had a glass of iced tea. Just another day in the life of THE SOPHINATOR.
IN OTHER NEWS
I spent yesterday afternoon at the hospital with Vann while Andy stayed here with Sophie. When I got home, she had done all my laundry, cleaned up my kitchen, and given Miss Sophie so much love and attention that I don't think the dog even cared that I was home. I had cooked a chicken in the crock pot earlier and so I made up a fine chicken salad for supper, adding toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and some chopped green onions.
After Andy went home, I turned on the tv to find I had almost missed the season premiere of one of my favorite shows, "Mad Men." This is the second season of the show which follows the drinking, smoking, back-stabbing, and sexual escapades of a 1960s New York ad firm. I love it! That Don Draper is one sexy dude.
Lots going on at the hospital today, so I must get up and get myself going. Vann is scheduled for lots of tests and procedures, including another periocardiocentesis (which means drawing fluid from his abdomen), another CT scan, and chemo.
Again, I can't tell you all often enough how much we appreciate all your prayers and good wishes. I give Vann a report on them every day. May God bless you all richly.
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On 08/17/2009, Nicole said ...
Sophie the Warrior Princess! She looks quite magnificent in that photo. We need one more fierce female and we could have our own version of Charlie's Angels!
Hope things are less tense at the hospital today.
On 08/17/2009, Karla said ...
I can picture Sophie's head stuck in the pipe! Thank goodness she got out on her own. Continued positive energy being sent your way.
Karla
On 08/17/2009, Bonnie said ...
Susan, you had me laughing reading the story with Sophie. I can just see her all excited you praising her and she feeling she did good.
Still thoughts and prayers,
Bonnie
On 08/17/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
Aren't pets one of life's greatest sources of comfort, delight, and laughter? Still wiping tears from imagining Sophie's predicament. I'm so glad she got herself out of the pipe!
Bless Andy's good heart!
Hope that all goes well today, that each procedure increases Vann's comfort and that all give the medical staff good information for the next step.
Hugs to you and Vann. Prayers continue ...
On 08/17/2009, Beverly said ...
Susan, you have me laughing at the latest Sophie adventure. I believe I would have had the same reaction as you.
My prayers are constant for you and Vann. Tell him I am waving a hello from blogland.
On 08/17/2009, Laurie said ...
Well, I gasped out loud when I read this, because I had almost exactly the same adventure with my beagle, a chipmunk, and a downspout last week!!
I hope Vann does well today.
On 08/17/2009, Molly said ...
Oooh, my dad doesn't like chipmunks, they can ruin a pier and beam foundation quick!! He may have to find a Sophie type dog if the ones they've had come back.
Prayers for Vann and you this week, continually. I'm sorry he's having so much painful stuff going on.
On 08/17/2009, Kelly@CharmingChatter said ...
Oh Susan, I'm so sorry to hear about Vann, and I will keep both of you in my prayers. I hope all went well at the hospital.
On 08/17/2009, Lavender Dreams said ...
What cute photos! I am keeping you and Vann in my prayers!
On 08/17/2009, Ruth Landon said ...
Just what you needed some fun with Sophie to lighten your mood; althiugh I'm sure you could have done with out the deceased chipmunk.
Continued prayers for you and Vann, hope his tests and procedures went well today.
Ruth
On 08/17/2009, Trudy Neill of Windemere Farm said ...
Hi you two. I had to smile at this chipmunk story as it brought back many fine memories of me growing up in the virgin woods of northern Michigan with chipmunks everywhere. My dad caught one for me once by putting watermelon seeds and melon inside a minnow bucket that had a string attached to the small opening/lid. We hid and waited for the curious little guy to climb inside and go for the seeds. Bingo...down came the lid and then what to do....my dad had to build a cage for it and I kept it most of the summer before letting it go. Such good childhood memories....things to smile about with sweet thoughts 50+years later. Thoughts/prayers continue for all of you there, from all of us at Windemere Farm.
Love, Trudy
On 08/18/2009, Kai said ...
Sophie, you are a CHAMPION CHIPMUNK CATCHER! LOL! I just LOVE that lil' doggy! You know, I've never SEEN a chipmunk except on tv or books, etc. I have to admit, for such destructive critters, they really are kinda cute, aren't they? I hope Vann is doing MUCH better today! You KNOW I keep you both close to my heart and always in my prayers! LOVE YOU!!!! Kai
On 08/20/2009, Tara said ...
Ick, so glad my dogs haven't dragged in anything bigger than a frog yet!
PS- on the Mad Men, this is actually season 3, so you might want to see if you missed a season! All good stuff..
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