Carolyn Holm

Dearest Molly,

This morning I heard a dog howling when a fire engine went by. Remember when you used to do that?

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mom,

I do remember that! I learned to howl from Bruno when he was still with us. He always said howling was a Shepherd specialty. We loved to howl together.

Your Best Dog,

Molly

 

Dearest Molly,

You did. You two were an adorable odd couple – you at 12 pounds and Bruno at 80 pounds. Howling side by side, both with your heads thrown back, muzzles pointed up, you standing with your paw on his shoulder, sharing the moment. What a sweet thing to see!

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mom,

Why don’t I howl any more?

Your Best Dog,

Molly

 

Dearest Molly,

Because you can no longer hear the sirens.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mom,

That explains why I didn’t howl this morning.

Your Best Dog,

Molly

 

Dearest Molly,

It does indeed. I’m sorry that you live in silence.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mom,

It’s very peaceful.

Your Best Dog,

Molly

 

Dearest Molly,

That’s a good attitude. It’s good that you have less to worry about.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mom,

Still, Poppy tells me what is going on. She says someone has been barking.

Your Best Dog,

Molly

 

Dearest Molly,

Earl next door barks a bit. But lately there’s been a lot more barking in the neighborhood.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mom,

Poppy says that’s because the wild turkeys are back. Twenty of them. She’s all excited about it.

Your Best Dog,

Molly

 

Dearest Molly,

She does get excited about those turkeys, doesn’t she? When we encounter them on our walks she pretty much goes into orbit. So that’s what all the commotion has been?

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mom,

That’s just part of it. There is a new dog just down the hill from us. Poppy says this dog is barking because she is very upset that her people are gone all day long.

Your Best Dog,

Molly

 

Dearest Molly

I think her people were out last night too. Until ten minutes past nine o’clock.

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mom,

How do you know that???!!!

Your Best Dog,

Molly

 

Dearest Molly,

I know everything. Also, that’s when the barking stopped. Do you bark when I’m away?

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mom,

I don’t bark if you tell me you are going out and that I’m in charge.

Your Best Dog,

Molly

 

Dearest Molly,

I do have to remember to do that each time, don’t I!

Love, Carolyn

 

Dear Alpha Mom,

It makes a big difference. You point to me and your mouth moves. I can’t hear it any more, but I know you are saying “You stay here. You’re in charge.” So I know that you aren’t forgetting to take me with you, and that I need to guard the house. And not to pee in the corner unless you are really really late.

Your Best Dog,

Molly

 

A note to our readers…

Molly, Mia, Puffin and Poppy are looking forward to giving you a weekly smile! Each week one of them is featured here, and yes, you can get the week’s post conveniently in your email every Friday by scrolling up to the top of the blog page, entering your email address in the subscription box, and clicking the subscribe button. If you are reading this in an email, go to blog.carolynholm.com to find the subscription box. (And if you’ve already subscribed, multiple paws are raised to salute you!)