Arbo

His bones ached

 

 

Arbo lay in the Springtime sun, warming his old, aching bones. He dreamt of long days past when he ran effortlessly through woods and fields with his hound dog ears and loose, flexible skin moving in fluid waves like ripples on a pond. Jumping over large logs and rocks with ease, he treed raccoons and even a few bobcats. Often, he fought them, and now bore the scars: tattered ears, torn lips and numerous lacerations about his head and neck. Arbo was a coon dog--an old, tired, coon dog. His bones hurt, his teeth hurt, and he just wanted to lie there and enjoy what comfort he could before the final sunset.

The day I saw Arbo, we were visiting dad's sister, Hettie, and her husband, Lunsford. They were country folks who lived in an old, unpainted wooden house with a big front porch. They had a well with a bucket on a chain that would be full of cold water when you lowered it down and brought it back up. I was three years old, and I liked it when they let me get a drink from the bucket. Between the well and the big front porch lay Arbo. I had a puppy at home that liked to be petted. I liked dogs. I would pet Arbo.

The bite was entirely a shock. My hand hurt, and there were some little red spots on it. I cried. Lunsford said something like, "Sammy, you shouldn't try to pet Arbo--he's old". No one picked me up and blew on my owie. I stood there bawling, and they let me. They were country folks.

Now sixty-three years later, my bones hurt. I bear the scars of life, both inner and outer. Sometimes I bite. I don't mean to, but I do. Please remember that they didn't shoot Arbo.

 

Author's Note

My memory goes all the way back, even to when I nursed or scooted around on the floor, unable to walk. I don't know what the old hound's real name was, but I sure remember what happened that day. Age and health problems now gives me special insight into why he bit me. I'd have bit me, too.

Reviews

[SweetNutmeg]

Please don't bite me! But if you do, I promise not to take you out back and shoot you. I'll give you a cookie and hope that will settle you down.

It's amazing how far back our memories can go. I always love hearing your memories. It's kinda sad you didn't receive any comfort, but I guess that was a different place and a different time. It sounds like you were given plenty of room to fool around and find things out for yourself. The world can be a harsh teacher.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I learned not to pet old, sleeping dogs--that's for sure. Yes, the world can be a harsh teacher, but learn, we must.

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful storytelling. Enjoyed this very much.

[Marie]

Poor Arbo! Poor Sam! You were a stranger to Arbo, that is why he responded as he did. You only wanted to pat him, but he didn't know that, he thought you might want to hurt him. I had the same experience with an old lady's dog who lived at the opposite side of the street to where we lived and a block down. He always sat on the doorstep, never barked and I thought he was 'friendly'. I was four and reached to pat him, but he snapped! He didn't bite me, but my Mam complained to old Mrs. Moore. I didn't know that he didn't know me, but to him I was a four year old stranger. I just said "Hello" to him every time I passed him after that. No fuss is usually the best method of dealing with such incidents. They are then forgotten more quickly until recalled in memory. Lovely story, sad, but true. Thank you for sharing, Sam. Amazed we both had the same story to tell though we lived a whole world apart...

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. Yes, we both learned that lesson at about the same age. An old Irish dog is no different than an American one, and also 4 year-old children.

[Marie]

I agree, Sam...

[emmajoygreen]

Dogs often know know what's going to happen before it does. Plus, old beings often have to defend themselves. Maybe he was scared of the adventurous lil fellow you were, do you think? That said, it must have been scary and painful for you, plus, animal bites can cause big, big problems. Being hurt isn't necessarily the right way to learn a lesson! But, you survived to tell yet another of your true to life, great tales, Sam. Thanks lots for sharing.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I learned a few things at aunt Hettie's old house when I was a mere toddler. The dog bite was memorable, of course, but their well with a bucket is unforgettable, too. How amazed I was to drink cold water that came from a deep hole in the ground! I think you've got a point concerning Arbo and his immediate rejection of my affections. He probably knew what a stinker I was.

[emmajoygreen]

Not you, don't believe you could ever be a stinker tho.. there was that tale.. ..

Why not a collection of your tales in print, Sam? Or, have I missed them?

[Samuel Dickens]

I wish I had done that, but I would need help, especially now that old age has depleted so much energy. (Both mental and physical)

[emmajoygreen]

Mini private publishing - via info from a library works over here? :)

[john l smith]

I made the mistake of playfully grabbing the ball from my son's blue healer and being quite highly excitable she nipped my arm
I was also quite surprised,
Even our little dog doesn't like little kids around
Another good little story.
PS, I just downloaded 'Grammarly' because I am a terrible typist and speller.
Seems to be working quite effectively

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks. I used to be a good speller, but now would be in trouble without some help from artificial intelligence. Hope no one tries to take my ball. Grrr

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

I love your Author’s Note for this allegorical story. Amazing that you remembered this incident from when you were two. Great storytelling from both Arbo’s and your own point of view. You take us right into the scene with your excellent stage-setting and description of the country scene and folk. Arbo taught you a painful lesson that we all have to learn- respect for age in animals & humans both! Loved this Sam.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. My memory goes all the way back. I remember nursing at Mom's breast, sucking a bottle, crawling on the floor and more. Mom couldn't believe it when I once described to her the layout of the house, where my crib was located, etc. A look of shock on her face, her exact words were "Why, Sammy, you were just a baby!" I'm weird.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

I think it must be photographic memory? It must be a great thing for a writer to have, especially when writing details from childhood.

[barleygirl]

I hear ya, loud & clear, on so many levels. Your first paragraph is pure poetry, the way you describe the progression of this ole hound's life. I also remember clearly the first time a Great Dane jumped up on me, twice as tall as I was. Volunteering at the animal shelter, I got a few nasty bites, but I never blamed the dogs . . . it was always my dumb error in not paying attention to the dog's obvious body language. Nowadays, my virtual "bite" is the "block" button. I don't take much crap from anyone anymore. I love the way you've drawn this parallel to our now-achy lives (((HUGS)))

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. As glad as I was to see my grandchildren a few days ago, this old dog really wanted to take a few nips at them.

[barleygirl]

Laughing out loud! Someone brought their grandkids here for a visit & they were tormenting my beloved mellow pets . . . I don't need to tell you how close I came! (((HUGS)))

[B. Boileau]

It amazes me we can remember things that long ago, but not somethings we did last week... go figure.
I feel the pain too, lucky for me I have mellowed with age (to a certain degree).
Yet another entertaining and fun read !

bill

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Bill. I'm glad you found the story worthwhile.

[MelissaAndres]

Oh, poor baby! I would have picked you up and hugged you! What a memory to have from very early days! I have twin sisters (they are three years younger than me). I have always heard that dogs go by smells when trusting someone or not but it apparently didn't happen this particular day. The twins were middle school age and they both spent the night with a friend. My sister Dana followed her friend into the garage to see a big German Shepherd Momma dog and her brand new puppies. My sister Denise came into the garage a few minutes later. The Momma dog looked from one twin to the other, jumped up and bit my sister Denise's ear completely off!! Oh goodness! The friend's mother managed to get the ear in a bag of ice and rushed them all to the hospital and call my Mom. Thankfully doctors got the ear sewn back on. They quarantined the dog and paid for the medical bills. Chaotic to say the least!

[Samuel Dickens]

Good grief! That is a wild story, Melissa! Thank goodness that lady knew what to do and acted fast. At least Arbo barely broke my skin.

[MelissaAndres]

Yeah, everyone thought it was odd that the dog looked back and forth at each twin. We understood the dog trying to protect her pups and all but it was just strange how she acted.

[Viv Wade]

Oh, I can certainly relate to poor old Arbo too, hurting all over. I haven't bitten anyone yet, but I do growl a bit sometimes! They'll probably take me to the vet's one day, and put me out of my misery! :)
Nice story, and fascinating how memories like that can stick in your mind for so long.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I think we'll be okay if we only bite politicians.