He did not want a dog. However in his view a dog was better than a cat. He knew that they had bought a home; his wife and two boys were hopeful to get a dog. A companion for one and for all. Dogs were expensive, dogs took time to train, who would take on the responsibility? They talked to some friends and the their neighbours and went for a drive. It was all a blur, after they had arrived at the breeder's.
There was one puppy that stood out. The puppy was a boy, and that appealed to the man. The puppy was gentle and self-assured. He did not demand attention, yet showed appreciation when attention was given. His fur was golden with a wide white fur collar from ears to shoulders and the legs were white too. Several weeks later the puppy was allowed to leave its mother.
The man took great joy in puppy training and massaging the ears. Where ever the family went the dog - Goldie - a sheltie, went too. Much brushing of the the sheltie's fur kept it fine, more walking kept Goldie fit. The family did long walks, local hikes and camping trips. Goldie liked to go camping best. The neighbourhood was seldom disturbed by a bark from this amicable family pet.
Goldie would, as commentary, howl when the clarinet was played by any member of the family. It was a woeful sad howl, in the exact same key that was being played or misplayed. As Goldie got older, the boys began to move away; first the oldest and then the youngest, but Goldie remained with the man and his wife. One of the boys had moved to the East coast then to Ontario. The other boy completed a year of local college and then onto university at UBC. Goldie never wandered far, if and when he wandered off. Goldie always like the shade of the back yard, under the branches of any leafy trees and the cool plush green grass beneath.
Goldie like the neighbours' large blue spruce tree best. The neighbour however, was often seen chasing Goldie away from the cool respite, even on a hot August day. As Goldie had gotten older, walks became shorter, veterinarian visits increased. Goldie had gotten old. Maybe it was cleaning the plates of human food. Maybe it was that he was a pure bred sheltie and he hadn't herded any sheep his whole life long, and with the 2 boys gone, there was nothing left to care for. Then one day, 12 year old Goldie, disappeared. Goldie had wandered off walking. One young man was in shock as he tried to absorb the information over the phone. The other young man was just silent.
The man and his wife had gone walking and searching, the neighbours all kept an eye out for the valued member of the pack. The man and his wife returned that night and the next with out finding Goldie and without his companionship. Two days later - Goldie returned, they found him, under the big blue spruce; out of the hot September sun, lying down asleep in the coolness he always loved best. Goldie had returned home, returned to the shade, but this time there was no waking him to chase him away. For Goldie was, now running, on forever fields with the wind in his face and fur; herding the largest herd of sheep ever seen.
