The Adventures of Thor

     Hi folks.  My name is Thor and I'm a 15 month old brindle English Mastiff.  I'm that unexpected guest Sharon told you about on Monday.  I'm a lucky fellow.  You see, I got myself lost.  I decided being as it's the holidays and all I would go out and do some extra exploring and find a gift for my caretakers.  Next thing I knew I was a good six miles from my home, lost and hungry.  I found myself a dead rabbit on the side of the road and figured that'd make a good meal so I started in on it.  Next thing I knew, there was this van pulling up beside me and a man got out to see if I had a collar on.  Problem was, I had the collar, but I didn't have any identification on me for where I lived.  Seeing as the people don't speak canine, I couldn't even tell them my name.  The man called Hon opened up their van door and I gladly got in.  I figured since it was cold and I was still hungry, not to mention I like to go for rides, I'd go with them.  They took me to some homes to see if I belonged there, but they didn't find my family.  They mumbled something about people just wanting to know what kind of dog I am, instead of whether they actually lost me, so they decided to take me home and find my family from there.
     Let me tell you something, those folks did a lot to find my home.  I heard them calling someplace important  for lost pets.  I saw them typing stuff out on the computer to people.  They even hung up some signs around town.  They knew I was special.  Shoot, they think all animals are special to tell the truth of it.  They let me borrow another collar so they could walk me better outside when I saw their farm animals for the first time, they bought me good dog food I need for my special size, and they gave me love.  Oh man oh man, did they love on me!  Let me tell you, if you're a lost dog, you gotta get to their house!!  No joke.  They're like flies on poop when it comes to getting a lost pet back with it's family.
     I really had a great time at the Steinhoff's.  I met three new boys named Young'un, Kid, and Eldest.  I met four new dogs named Toby, Roxie, Mille, and Tabby - although Roxie didn't like me much - but I bet I'd eventually grow on her.  That Toby is the same as me, only a different color and shorter, and I thought that was pretty cool.  I met an old three legged cat they called SamCat, and I must admit, for the downfall of him being a cat and all, he's a nice fellow.  I met horses and I met sheep.  That ram, Little Man, was a very cool dude and he thought the same of me, too.  In my days here I learned that chasing turkeys is a no-no, and an angry goose is, well, an angry goose.  Better to leave those alone, for sure.  
     My favorite new animal friends were the birds.  Totally for sure!  That parakeet, Joe, can really rock.  Well, not rock, but you know what I  mean.  He's got a twittery voice that just made me happy.  Then there was Bishop, the little parrot.  He's a weird one, always telling me to, "Come 'ere," and then telling me he's a pretty bird, like I didn't already know it.  He didn't have a nice twittery voice like Joe, though.  He would do this yelling squawking thing that kind of hurt my ears.  Even so, I'd go back and forth visiting between their cages. I've found I really like birds.
    Yesterday was Christmas and I never thought I'd be spending it somewhere other than my real home, but I did.  I suppose next year I'll find my family a present out in the yard instead of looking so far from home for one. The Steinhoff's gave me a present and I sat around the Christmas tree with them, enjoying all the hoopla over stuff.  Even so, I kept thinking about my family.  I'm glad the Steinhoff's took me to their home because who knows what would have happened to me if they didn't.  Christmas might not have been so nice for me.
     This morning  Sharon got a phone call and was so excited about it!  Then she sat down on the floor with me and I leaned into her the way only big English Mastff's can do, and she said, "Hello Thor."  I perked up my ears and licked her face.  She knew my name.   She told me she talked to my Grandma Vicky and soon my dad and mom would be here to pick me up and take me back home.  She gave me a big hug and kiss, and we just sat there together for a while.  Before we knew it, it was time to go outside and reunite with my family.  Sharon and I played in the snow a bit while we waited and then I heard it...a familiar sound.  Next thing I knew, I saw it...my family's car!  Oh my goodness we were so  happy to see each other!  My two people brothers were in the back seat, and my mom and dad started talking to Sharon about I don't really care...because I was going home!  I couldn't wait to get back and see my brother, Otis, who is also an English Mastiff, and sniff out every nook and cranny, not to mention re-pee on every bush and tree that hasn't gotten my attention in days.  Sharon mentioned to my folks how important it is for me to have an identification tag with at least their name and telephone number on it because if I was wearing one I could have been back home on Saturday.  I saw their dogs wearing them and I thought it was some awesome doggie bling that made sense, too.  I sure hope my family gets me and my brother one, too.  She gave my dad the food they had been feeding me, I got in the back seat with my boys, and off we went.  I've never been so happy to see my family again!
     So, there you have it folks.  My adventure.  I'm sure glad I had a happy ending.  I kind of get the feeling a lot of dogs don't get the happy ending I had, that they never find their way back home.  I'm a lucky dog to have not only a family that loves me, but new friends that kept me safe while they found my family.  Smiling & Waving, Thor

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