Shep

Chapter 1 Rescued An icy wind blasted through the bare trees, blowing snow through the town, causing people to hurry on their errands so they could get home and out of the cold. Looking on from under a snow-covered bush by the side of the road huddled an abandoned little dog, shivering. As the temperature continued to drop, he curled up into a tight ball to keep in as much warmth as possible. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, and he looked up eagerly from time to time, hoping a passerby would throw him a morsel of food, but absorbed in their own cares, people rushed by, not noticing the little dog. Those who did see him just turned their heads, ignoring the dirty mongrel at their feet and hurrying about their business… “Well, what have we here?” sounded a deep, booming voice, as a young man dismounted from an old wooden farm wagon and bent down to examine the tiny ball of fur huddled against the cold. The puppy looked up at the man, who was big and strong with kind, smiling, eyes. Dark, curly hair peeped out of a tweed flat cap, and a soft woolen scarf enveloped his neck. A few flakes of snow had fallen onto his thick, dark beard. The farmer was dressed for the cold in a plaid flannel shirt, sturdy work pants, farm boots, and a heavy leather coat with a warm, soft fleece lining. Behind him stood a giant chestnut-colored horse, patiently waiting, stamping his white feathered hooves, and snorting clouds of steam into the frosty evening air. The man’s big hands, strong and rough from farm work, tenderly lifted the limp puppy and brought him up close to his face for examination. “Looks like you could use a warm meal and a good cleaning up,” he said. “Let’s take you home, laddie. You are mine now,” then he opened his coat and gently placed the puppy inside, buttoning it back up so that just the dog’s nose, eyes, and ears were peeping out. Immediately the puppy could feel warmth coming from the man’s body and the rhythmic thump thumping of his heart. For the first time in his life, the puppy enjoyed safety, warmth, and maybe even being loved and wanted. It was a delicious feeling. Chapter Two The Farm There across the farmyard was an old, stone barn, filled with animals being sheltered from the cold. Through the open barn door he could see cows, chickens, a yellow tabby cat, and a huge horse. That must be Sam, the one who helped bring me home, he thought. Beyond the barn was a pond and then low stone walls that climbed slowly up gentle, rolling hills dotted with wooly sheep. In the distance, purple mountains crowned with misty clouds met the horizon. “I must be in heaven,” sighed the puppy in complete contentment. Chapter Eight Training Begins In all the excitement of finally getting inside that duck pen and trying to remember the correct response to Jay’s signals, Shep seemed to have four left paws. Everything in him wanted to line up those ducks with Jay, and he wanted to do things his way, not always follow the commands Jay was giving him. Plus, those ducks just didn’t want to be herded by a dog. This is hard work, thought Shep. His little dog brain reeled at the new commands, the strong drive to line up those ducks, and his intense desire to please his master. Chapter 15 A Challenge … Everywhere were spring flowers in all colors, pink, yellow, orange, blue. Their delicate fragrance filled the air. Jay’s lands were vast, and sometimes it seemed like there was no end to his property. But eventually they entered a dark area of forest where trees hung over the road, their gnarled branches like bony arms stretching out to grab an unsuspecting traveler. Shep felt a chill up his spine as they passed Old Man Hess’s property, run down and decrepit. Gaps in the stone walls needed repair, and rotted wooden gates hung crookedly, allowing unprotected sheep to wander out into the road and predators to enter for a feast. The sheep themselves looked forlorn and deserted. Their pasture was filled with noxious weeds, the water trough was muddy and stagnant, and the sheep were plagued with biting insects that swarmed around their ears and noses. A break in the underbrush gave Shep a sight of Hess’s barnyard. What he saw there broke his heart. Chained to a wooden fence post was a young female sheep dog, her head hanging forlornly, and her fur matted and dirty. A bowl of nasty water was beside her, and she looked up with sad eyes as the wagon slowly passed. Shep barked and then whined, which got Jay’s attention. He looked over at the sad sight and understood Shep’s distressful cry. “I know, boy, it breaks my heart, too. A beautiful dog like that all chained up. What a waste.” Shep looked at his master with questioning eyes, and Jay understood. “I tried to buy her from Hess, but he won’t sell her. Chapter 16 Obedience When they passed Old Man Hess’s place on the way home, long shadows shrouded the yard where Lady lay. All Shep could see was a dark figure, still lying dejectedly on the ground next to the fence post. He let out a long, mournful howl, and Lady lifted her head and listened. “I’m going to save you,” was his message.