Galactic Goat checkin April 24th - "Ridin' ol' Gyps"
12This is Dad’s old Border Collie, Gypsy Rose:
“Ol’ Gyps” is what Dad called her. Every morning and every afternoon Dad would take ol’ Gyps “ridin’”. They’d run the fences, check the cows and chickens, maybe pop by for a neighbor that needed some help with something. Every day for years ol’ Gyps would go ridin’.
Since Dad passed on Wednesday, Gypsy sort of became a forgotten detail. Sure, she was fed, let out in the mornings, brought in each evening. But Gypsy was missing Dad and didn’t get her daily rides. This morning Galactic Goat did the proper Goatly thing. I loaded ol’ Gyps up in Dad’s ol’ Red (his old Dodge farm truck ) and me and ol’ Gyps went a ridin’
It’s clear to me, being here, how much that ride meant to Gypsy. She came to life when she heard Dad’s keys rattling. When I grabbed my jacket she nearly burst through the back door. I couldn’t get the pickup opened up fast enough for her.
After we rode around the countryside for about half an hour, I headed back to the house. Ol’ Gyps hasn’t let me get more than 5 feet from her ever since.
I sure wish there was a way I could bring Gypsy home with me. But I know this old farm dog would be miserable in the confines of suburbia.
A bittersweet day today my friends. Bless you all, and wishing you each a wonderful week.
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- 5 comments, 1 reply
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That’s so sad. Is your mom going to keep her? Does one of the neighbors like Gypsy enough to give her rides now and then if your mom can’t?
My first dog was a border collie. So smart. My dad set up a pulley system outside so he could roam our property. It wasn’t practical to fence the area. I can’t imagine border collies living in apartments unless their owners ran every day and took the dog.
Beautiful dog.
My eyes are little wet for some unknown reason here …
@narfcake mine too.
Look at that sweet old face; it’s almost irresistible. I hope that there’s someone there that can take her out, at least a few times a week. Border Collies are smart dogs, and she needs the entertainment.
My heart hurts, now. :-{
The Galactic Goat is a good man. You did a good thing ridin with Gyps. I hope all works out well for Gyps, because I care a great deal more for animals than I do humans.
@ruouttaurmind
Gypsy is lovely. I’m so glad you two went out.
RE:
Please don’t think I;m offering advice here; this is just a comment. I have no idea what would be best of Gypsy or for your lives. That said:
In my experience, dogs are most happy and content when they are with the people whom they have a strong bond with and can be with a lot. If your Mom has that with Gypsy, or wants Gypsy around for the companionship, that’s huge for both of them.
If Gypsy isn’t going to get much attention where she is for whatever reason, once everyone goes home, the city/country/suburb thing for a dog is far far secondary to the time and attention and being a full part of a person’s life or a family.
All of you, and now Gypsy as well, are in our thoughts. I think that’s a fair thing to say.