Am I Different?
Copyright© 2020 by Yob
Chapter 5: Home Ground
My mouth is full of meat and my heart full of hope as I arrive in vicinity of my destination, the end of the dotted trail on my nose map. My nose is assaulted by once familiar odors and my ears filled with the howls of multiple wolfhound challenges.
“Here, here now! What is all this racket about?”
Grandma’s voice calls. I recognize it, and it warms my heart. My earliest memories are connected with her charming, affectionate, mellow toned voice. My memories are stirred and triggered.
“Well, then who is this? Celert? Is it you? The prodigal returns, aye? Where is the rest of the family? It’s impossible you have arrived alone. How did you get here? Where is the car? No car? You are an amazing dog to find your way back here all on your own!”
Grandma scratches my ears and tousles my head with approval as she greets me with a salvo of unanswerable questions. I drop the venison to pant in pleasure at the attention I crave and have been deprived of recently.
“Oh, how thoughtful to bring a gift with you, Celert. Everyone will enjoy it. I need to make a phone call to try and find out where your folks are. Let’s put you in the kennel with your relations who are anxious to greet you. It is so good to see you again. You are a good boy. My, you’ve certainly grown into a big handsome dog.”
My breast glows and my mind tingles with the praise.
“We will find you a handsome mate to make beautiful puppies with, don’t you fret yourself over that. I’ll check the breeding book so we select a bitch for you not too closely related. Maybe I’ll match you with My Bonny Lass, the Scottish Deerhound, should I? To reinforce and improve the strength in the trait. Yes, that will be a fine pairing. Welcome home. Yes indeed welcome home, dear Celert.”