 |
|
 |
Archie's First Ride
by Tom Wells
Archie is our 78 lb Boxer and my buddy. He's about four years old. I rescued him out of the pound a couple years ago and the pound people and a couple vets thought he was about two years old. So I suppose he was. He was extremely under weight. You could see every rib and vertebrae and his feet were bloody. I was lucky enough to be on hand when the truck brought him in. I grabbed his paperwork and said, "I want that dog." They had to hold him for five days during which he got a case of kennel cough. That is all history. He recovered and is very much a part of our family. Neatest dog we've ever had. And we've had a few. That's another story. Back to this one...
He made his first ride this morning and did very, very well. We live about a mile and a half outside Reardan. Yesterday when we were in Spokane, I got him a set of doggles. This morning found his harness, got him ready and down the road we went. Stopped by the bus garage which he likes because every one there is his friend. He sat still until I gave him the OK to get out. Then we went to the post office which is part of his daily routine. I told him to wait and I went in and got the mail. He waited fine. Then we went to the vet clinic. Also friends of his and a fun place to go. Got him out still wearing the doggles. Our vet and her assistant were in surgery but when the receptionist saw Archie in the doggles she went back and got Dr. Kate and Heather. Kate got her camera and we went out to the bike to pose for photos. Hope the dog in surgery was out cold. They made me promise to take him in the parade this year. Guess I'd better find the form. Then we went to some friends who do Boxer rescue. I told him to stay again and went around to the door. Tom (Shaw) answered and told me to come in. I told him I couldn't because Arch was waiting. He called to Julie and I should have gone back out to the bike but waited for her. When we all went around to the bike there was Archie's leash and harness laying on the ground by the sidecar and no Archie! I called him then we saw him around by the kennel where there were two rescue Boxers visiting through the fence. Whew! I thought maybe he had headed for home. Got him dressed to ride again and headed for home. Saw Dan, the city maintenance crew (one man crew) and stopped to visit with him for a bit then headed for home. Boy!, was Archie happy when we got home. Acted like he'd had the thrill of his life! We discussed what a good boy he was and I told him lets go tell Mom how much fun that was. He made a bee line for the house obviously very happy. Acting like a puppy again. We have a few minor little bugs to work out of our system but this is the beginning of a very good thing.
PS: He has made more rides since this was written and hasn't gotten out without permission since his first ride. We made a ride last week of about 75 miles. Barb is still reluctant to try the sidecar but she will eventually. Then they'll have to take turns!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
