Fragments From Floyd

A week ago, the dog didn't have a quiet moment all day. Now, Abby's gone and the old folks aren't very much fun.

They walk. They don't run. They take the footbridge OVER the creek, they don't splash down in it, even sit down in it on a dog's eye level like Abby did. They really aren't that much stimulation after you've had a little girl to entertain you for a week.

And what's more, by the time she left last Sunday, Abby could toss a piece of dog biscuit just right every time so Tsuga could catch it before it hit the ground. And she was much more generous with the puppy treats than the usual boring, stingy playmates. And she didn't care if he was wet or if his feet and face were dirty from digging--she'd hug his neck and hold on tight, just the same.

Man, every Floyd County farm dog needs a five year old, Tsuga says.