Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Endless Love

She is sensitive to my nuances.  I think she knows when I'm in pain too.  I can see it in her eyes.

When we are alone together all she does is stare at me. Oh, those deep brown eyes!
She doesn't say a word.  She lets me do all the talking.  I like to talk in complete sentences, in whatever language I choose.  With her I get to complete my sentences, no matter how long they are.

I think she misses me all the time - whether I'm gone for a day or for a whole week.





As soon as my 4 x 4 reaches the main gate of The Farm she'll be there waiting, all excited, in her shining black coat.  I can see that she's a little short of breath - she must have dropped whatever she was doing and rushed to greet me. She would make the appearance no matter where she was before I arrived.  There is this uncanny ability to recognize the sound of my car amongst the other vehicles that pass by The Farm.

As I open the gate and let myself in she would walk briskly by the car's side, and occasionally sprints ahead, as if to check that the way is clear, as I drive up the hill to the farm house.  It reminds me of a police motorcade escort.

She doesn't cook or wash, but would stay up all night to guard the property.  Sometimes you can hear her chase after a squirrel or a wild boar in the stillness of the night.  You can't feel much safer with her around, even though you are in the wilderness.  You know that she'll protect you, even with her life if she has to.

She appreciates that I took her away from that crowded home to this sanctuary where she has acres to roam.  She appreciates too that I got her a companion, found abandon and shivering with cold on a dark rainy night.

I know she loves me - unconditionally.

As I walk around the farm she would at first walks alongside me, then moves away and leaves me alone, but never venturing too far away, her eyes always watchful and on the lookout for intruders.







Meet Ella, man's best friend and my Bodyguard:




Here with her soul-mate 'M'

When she's not tormenting the chickens...



she'll be playing the fool with M

27 comments:

Stephanie Thornton said...

Very sweet, but almost bittersweet. I like it!

Grandpa said...

Stephanie! That was quick, thank you. If this is your first time I would like to extend a warm Welcome to The Farm, and hope you'll enjoy your stay here.

Lo said...

Loved this post and the way you told the story.

Rachael Harrie said...

Aw, that's so sweet Grandpa. I love how much Ella means to you, and how that's so obvious in every word you wrote. It's truly special to have that sort of relationship with your dog, and particularly to be treasured if you rescued her to start with!

Thanks for sharing Ella with us :)

Hugs,

Rach

Grandpa said...

Lo, good to see you, and thank you!


Rach - both are my constant companions on The Farm. I took them when they were 4 months old. Now they are both three years old.

Thanks for stopping by.

small farm girl said...

Now you know why they are called man's best friend. Such loyalty.

Wan Sharif said...

Marvellous take on unconditional love.. reciprocated.. bien sur!

Akelamalu said...

You'll never find a more loyal friend. :)

Grandpa said...

Wan, bukan pet mind you - untuk jaga nyawa dan harta benda. Very effective!


Akelamalu - I didn't know how true the saying was until I experience the faith and loyalty myself - amazing!

Grandpa said...

small farm girl - yes, now I know -I've found this out first hand, how faithful, loyal and intelligent they are.

Maria Zannini said...

Ella is beautiful. I just want to give her a big kiss.

How old is she?

Grandpa said...

Hi Maria, I remember you asking me to tell more about her - this is it. She is exactly three years old this month. I took her when she was four months.

nouvelles couleurs - vienna atelier said...

lovely.... i can undertstand very good this..

Martha said...

Ella and M are both beautiful as is your story here. Visiting from the A-Z challenge and following. Have an E for Excellent day :-)

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

So endearing. I have a dog, I understand. Makes me teary just thinking about how much my puppy loves me. God's gifts, that's for sure.

Happy Frog and I said...

Hi Grandpa, what a lovely post. Loved the way you wrote about Ella and also the wonderful photos of her and M. Thank you for sharing :-)

Denise Covey said...

Well I did wonder until Rach let the dog out of the bag. Beautifully written Grandpa. So clever.

Denise<3

L'Aussie Travel A - Z Challenge Posts E for Eire, F for ?

Ohiofarmgirl said...

those are a couple of hard working farm dogs, for sure! "E" has a great word - thanks for the great pix!

klahanie said...

Greetings Grandpa,
Yes, it's me Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star.
There is nothing like the endless, non-judgemental love that we animals share with our human friends.
Ella and M are mighty fine looking dogs. I send you all pawsitive and pawesome wishes, Penny.
'Arf, arf!' :)

Grandpa said...

nouvelles couleurs - Hi Laura, it's great that you understand;


Martha (MM) - Thank you, and welcome to The Farm. Will pop over to your blog in a minute. Hope your are enjoying the challenge;


Joylene - True love, that's what it is. And God's gift, as you say.

Grandpa said...

Happy Frog and I - Thank you! Glad you like it;


L'Aussie - ...dog out of the bag... that's clever too. Thank you Denise;


Ohiofarmgirl - You are welcome pal;


klahanie - Hi Penny! Ella wishes to share a big bone with you, why don't you drop by some time? You take care of yourself and my friend Gary eh.

Anonymous said...

Ella is beautiful. They make the best friends :)

Grandpa said...

Niki - Thank you.

Unknown said...

Those dogs are gorgeous. I certainly wouldn't want to surprise them by an unexpected visit.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely tribute to a man's best friend. I love my dog too

Unknown said...

Lovely companions - friends for life:))

secret agent woman said...

Reading the first few sentences that show up in my feed, I knew you had to be talking about a dog!