Sam the wandering dog and ground hog hole digger...

I don't know what I'm going to do with Sam! Yesterday he disappeared for a couple of hours. Mama was worried that he was wandering like he'd done while I was in Lexington. I searched the places he'd been before but didn't find him.

I blew the whistle numerous times and he just didn't come! We were about to just wait him out when here he came....covered head to tail in mud! It was even on the top of his head and back. Being on top of his head is a sure sign that he'd had his head down a ground hog hole. He must have been digging too because he had clots of mud on his front legs and on his belly.

Well we all know what came next. Yes, a bath. I put his leash on and he came willingly up the steps and even into the bathroom. I closed the door so he couldn't get out and then the fun began. He's afraid to get into the tub. Getting him in involves lifting and shoving with mud going everywhere. As soon as I turn the water on he tried to jump out and makes it about half way. I put him back and tie the leash to the hand rail. That doesn't stop him, he makes it out again! Finally we get the water going, the shampoo on, and start scrubbing. He really doesn't mind all this once we get started. He stood very calmly while I soaped, rinse, and soaped again. The bottom of the tum is full of muddy, soapy water. He only pulls away once and that was when I was washing the top of his head. He didn't like the water near his eyes and I don't blame him for that. Once I was sure he was clean, I took a big towel and start drying him off. Then I get him out of the tub and keep drying him with the towel. Soon that towel is wet so I get another one. While I'm getting it, he shakes and water goes everywhere. We keep drying and finally he's dry enough to let him go finish the job for himself. I open the bathroom door and out he goes.

Now it's time to clean up the bathroom. I had to scrub the tub, wash down the walls, wash the end of the shower curtain, wash the shower curtain liner and dry the floor (cleaning up the mud he carried in earlier). By this time I'm about to faint because it is so hot and I've been "standing on my head" for forever! Also....I'm soaking wet! I had to change all my clothes! I was getting tired by now so I went to my room and lay down with a cold cloth on my head because I'm still too hot and feeling dizzy.

We both survived! At least I think we did. That night, I took a shower and washed my hair before bedtime. I finally felt clean!

Sam came in and slept on the rug in the foyer. This morning he came into my room at 5:45. He's very patient in the morning. He knows there is a routine we have to follow. First, I have to find my glasses. Next, I take my medicine. Then I go to the bathroom. Finally I gather up things that need to go downstairs and he goes out the front door! This is usually the only time of day he goes out that door and he knows to wait until I put things down and get the door open. He's usually very patient and then out he goes. By the time I've put things in the sink or garbage he is lying on the rug in the carport.

Now it's his breakfast time. I've found that he loves olive oil and since it's good for him and his coat, I have been putting some on his food in the morning. He waits until I get the food in the bowl, put the lid back on the container, and put the olive oil on his food before he even goes up the the bowl. He also waits until I get away from the bowl before he goes to eat. Very polite!

This morning I sat out on the swing and when he was finished, I petted him and talked to him for quite a while. Then....he's off! He headed for the front yard and since there was a runner on the road, I thought maybe he was going there. By the time I got the whistle (maybe 10 seconds) he'd disappeared. The runner came back by but there was still no Sam. I blew the whistle but he didn't come. Hopefully by the time I finish this post he will be back

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Well, sure enough, as I was writing that last time I heard him at the back door. He was back and although his legs and belly were wet from running in the grass (which REALLY needs cutting) he was fine. I let him in but he didn't want that. After romping through the house he was at the door. I let him out and he stood and looked, or rather stared, at me. I went out and sat on the chair and petted him for a while longer.

I'll have to just trust him today. I can't let what happened while I was gone dictate what I do now. I'll just let him play and pray he always comes back!