The Hay Wagon

Most days when it is nice out, I take the dogs out to the back field for a free run. It is a time when they can take off chasing each other, snoop around at all the new gopher holes or just walk out to the open field together as a pack.

About halfway out in the field is a hay wagon that has been parked alongside the property line for the past several years. It is a rather large wagon and is about 3 feet high off the ground. It is a perfect "perch" to sit and watch as the dogs romp around. A wonderful quiet spot for time away.

Each time we go out to the field, Charlie and Makwa will run on ahead sniffing and chasing one another, while Tanner and Belle will stay a little closer to me. Tanner is no longer able to keep up as he could in his younger days and does everything in his power to maintain a slow and steady pace. Belle enjoys the security of being close to her human and will not veer too far from her focal point. All four dogs are at various places in the field as we trek out there together.

It always amazes me that when Charlie and Makwa arrive at the hay wagon, they will stop running and hop up on the wagon and sit together side by side. There they will wait (rather patiently, I must add) for the rest of the pack to catch up. When we catch up to them, the two of them will be waiting for me to give them a round of scruffing and praise for how good they were to wait for us. Then it is off to the back field like two canines hot on a trail of who knows what. On our way in from the field, they will stop by the wagon once again.

I am grateful for the reminders I receive from Charlie and Makwa. As I charge through my day, I need to stop at the hay wagon and regroup, waiting for my Master to come alongside me and give me direction and guidance on the journey into the big field.