Alrighty then, I’m back with another story to share…hopefully you enjoyed the first story and that’s why you returned…
This one is a little different and really rough around the edges…
Thanks for “hanging in there”…
Harold & Griff
One day while walking through the park, Harold saw something scurrying across the luscious green grass and disappear down a tiny hole. Being an inquisitive little fellow Harold rambled aimlessly towards the hole making sure to avoid looking awkward or out of place because he didn’t want to startle his impending discovery or interrupt others in the park.
Since it was a weekend day the park was full of people enjoying the sunny day. The activities of the picnickers varied greatly. Most of the people in the park were lounging under the shade of the trees laughing and giggling while enjoying their lunch of cold fired chicken, potato salad, and other “picnicky” foods. Others were tossing around frisbees or flying kites. It was quite a happy place, filled with activity. It was quite the quaint little scene…which made Harold feel nervous and insecure, for you see, Harold was your basic every day, average type of golden retriever puppy out enjoying a walk through the park.
But why was Harold all nervous and insecure, after all “everybody” loves puppies! Maybe Harold was worried what the people in the park might do if he went racing off after whatever it was that went scurrying down the hole. Harold didn’t want to frighten or scare anyone…but what if what he saw was a danger to others? What if it wasn’t? Wouldn’t he look totally silly chasing it and he certainly didn’t want to look silly!
Well, after a few minutes Harold finally arrived at the hole into which the little creature disappeared. Harold began sniffing around the hole to see if he could pick up the creature’s scent, so perhaps he could find the creature’s trail and track him later that day, but soon he gave up because it was time for lunch, and Harold LOVED lunch. He never missed one, ever. The only thing Harold hated missing more than lunch was his nap, for he was a growing puppy and would tire quickly from all the running around he did while playing with his owners.
Luckily for Harold, the animal had quite the unique scent. It was unlike anything he had ever sniffed before. He was sure he’d never forget this smell and vowed to discover this creature no matter how long it required. Harold even decided that from this day forward he would eat his meals quicker and sleep a little less longer in order to find this animal because it was just THAT important to Harold.
So, Harold strolled back to his owner’s picnic bench and began eating his food while watching out of the corner of this eye for a glimpse of the elusive creature. Oh, and what a tasty meal is was – peanut butter sandwiches – his favorite! However, as Harold was eating he saw the little animal pop its head out of the hole and stick its tongue out at him!
Man, that really irritated Harold. He was hopping mad but yet, couldn’t do anything about it, because his master had placed a collar around his neck and ties the leash around a tree. All poor Harold could do was sit, stare and then snarl at the little creature. “It was so unfair”, thought Harold.
Soon though, Harold’s owner noticed the strange behavior Harold was exhibiting and took Harold home for the day. Perhaps Harold had been out in the sunlight too much and had overheated while running around, playing in the park all day. So, off went Harold and his master towards their car.
Harold wriggled and wrangled before crawling into the car. He just had to find out what type of creature the little animal he saw was. Harold thought a lot about the way he was acting and decided he was being just plain silly. “Gee, why am I being so silly over one silly little animal.” wondered Harold. So, Harold decided to just relax and enjoy the scenery as it passed by on his way home.
When Harold got home, he quickly ran off to his doghouse and laid down for a nap. Perhaps he was acting strangely because he had not gotten enough sleep the past several days. Well, off went Harold to “dreamland” where he began dreaming “dog dreams” – things like chasing cars and actually catching one or maybe lounging under a tree while gnawing the biggest bone he could imagine. Oh, how peaceful these dreams were. But then, guess what? Harold began dreaming about that little animal he saw at the park! And yet again, it was sticking it’s tongue out at him, daring Harold to chase him.
This really shook Harold. He thought maybe the tiny creature had followed him home and was waiting outside the doghouse to “scare him”. But, being brave, Harold decided to venture outside of his “safe” doghouse and search for this creature. Nothing would stop him form a good nap, nothing!
Harold wandered aimlessly around his yard and even snuck a peak into his neighbor’s yard through a small hole, but there was no sign of the little creature. This relieved Harold because now he felt the creature hadn’t followed him home. Harold crawled back into his doghouse and fell asleep.
The next morning Harold woke up and felt really refreshed. As a matter of fact, Harold never felt better. He was ready to face the new day with vim and vigor like never before. He sauntered up to his master’s door and scratched it signaling his master to bring him breakfast; for nothing was more important than breakfast. Harold quickly chomped his breakfast of corn flakes, toast and a glass of juice. He then rambled to his favorite spot in the yard and lay down for an after breakfast snooze. Harold enjoyed the snooze almost as much as breakfast.
Ah, but something was different about his favorite spot today. There appeared to be a small hole right in the very spot Harold had usually placed his bone. His bone was okay, but the hole worried him. He started to think, “the hole wasn’t there yesterday, or was it? How did that hole get there? AAAAAAAAHHHHH, maybe the little creature DID follow me home!!
Harold was really freaked out. He began barking and yelping as loud as he could. Out ran his owner who tossed a biscuit to shut him up, but the quiet didn’t last long. Harold kept on making noises. His owner came out again with Harold’s collar and leash and took Harold for a walk. The walk really helped calm poor old Harold’s nerves. So much so, that he lay back down to take a nap. Harold was just warn out from his morning.
But again, Harold has the same dream with the little creature. Poor Harold was beside himself. He just didn’t know what to do. He decided to just stay in the doghouse and do nothing. When lunchtime arrived and his master placed his bowl outside Harold didn’t go eat. Seeing Harold not eat and lying there in his doghouse, his master decided to take Harold to the vet…who couldn’t find anything wrong with Harold. So, back home they went.
Guess what Harold saw when his master drove by the park? Yup, the little creature! This drove Harold right out of his mind. He jumped right out of the bed of the pickup truck and chased the little creature all over the park. Boy was Harold excited about catching this creature. Harold almost has him several times but the small animal always managed to slink it’s way into the safety of its hole. Nothing could stop Harold though. He started digging the last home bigger and wider and deeper until he dug so deep and wide he could grab the creature.
Hmm…Harold had never caught a creature before so he didn’t know what he should do next. Harold decided it would be best to hold it under one of his paws and ask it questions. The little creature was quite scared and out of breath from all the running, but Harold tried anyway. Once the creature calmed down, Harold asked what type of animal the tiny creature might be. The creature replied he was a groundhog.
Harold was shocked. He had never seen or even held a groundhog before and here he was talking with one. Harold was so interested in his newfound friend that he snuck the groundhog home and into his doghouse.
Once inside the doghouse Harold learned its name was Griff. He and Griff had fun talking about the park. Harold was happy to have made a friend in Griff. Griff was happy Harold had forgiven him for following him home that day and spooking him. So, on every trip to the park Harold and a friend he could talk and play with. Heck, Harold even shared his lunch with Griff, but just a very small portion, well, because Harold really loved his lunches but didn’t want Griff to feel left out.
-The End-
Dan’s View 