Real Friends...

This is old man Vegas, as we call him.  Formally Vegas Ace, but this old seventeen year old wolf-dog has been with us since shortly after we moved here thirteen years ago.  For every dog, there is a person, and his is Bailey Noelle.  Shortly before her birthday right after we moved here, she felt that Callie Jo needed a friend, and she wanted another dog for her birthday.  Charlie was away on TDY, but said we could go look at the Humane Society.

As Bailey and I walked down the row of kennels, we both the felt the familiar tug, wanting to bring them all home, but knowing better.  Then, at the last kennel in the line, on the left, this black and white dog came to the gate and extended one white foot out to Bailey.  She sat on the concrete, and reached her hand out, waiting for my permission to pet his nose, we reached together.  She was done.  He looked a bit like Callie, and when she came to meet him the next day, he kissed her, rolled onto his back, and let her know she would be in charge.

All these years later, this mellow old man has grown accustomed to protecting goats, chickens, and of course children.  Permission to enter the property is granted only by Mama and Daddy, and only for one time.  No one touches his children.  He has amazing patience with Bailey, always has.  In his age, he has his moments, like helping round up roosters where he found one, held it where it was, but stood there wagging his tail not knowing what to do next.  Trying to help since the loss of Callie Jo five years ago and Remington over Christmas has been odd for him

On Wednesday night, Bailey packed a suitcase.  Vegas sat in the floor and eyed it, then slept in his usual spot in Bailey's room with her.  On Thursday morning, at about 5, I delivered Bailey to the school to meet up with the robotics team.  They headed off in the dark to go to regionals in Mesa. 

With so much heartbreak and hypercompetition in the children's lives lately, it has been wonderful that Bailey was invited to join this special team- CRUSH robotics with SSA.  Not only did they advance to the quarterfinals, and win two presidential awards at competition, but they are a true team, which trains the youth and holds each accountable for their contribution to the team, bringing them together to work hard and depend upon one another rather than bolster a few "special" individuals.

The photos of Veggie (we have a ot of nicknames for animals around here- they are all al part of the family) are from this evening.  Since I came home without Bailey, Vegas paws at me with that one white foot (all the recently added grey not included here) and takes me to her door of the car, and her room and the gate.

  He wants me to get his missing friend.

I have been doing a lot of reading these days about children and friendships, and spent some time yesterday reading about animal friendships.  While researchers had previously thought animals weren't capable of such emotion (many of us have known better), researchers are learning and finding consistent evidence to the contrary. 

I am thrilled that Bailey has forged friendships over robots and science, animals and more.  I hope that each day she learns to better discern between the true friends and the temporary ones.  That both she and Wyatt can see the changing tide of friendships, and see through the fake people to know which friends are there to use her and which are there for the long haul and good influences.  And I hope I will learn from them and watch how well Wyatt reads these people to help them transition through it all.

But for tonight, old man Vegas waits for his Bailey.  With kisses and that white paw ready, she will return to family and the unconditional love and loyalty of Vegas and the excitedly awaiting goats and chickens who complain about having me in there areas instead of their Bailey.  And they will help her through the sting of others and help her remember who she really is.  And that is a blessing.  Hugs to you all, and have a wonderful night!