Another Tail From Tillatoba
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CITY DOG OR COUNTRY DOG? Can you tell which is which? Princess, the Herald’s Tillatoba K-9 correspondent, and Sweetie, our resident city-dog columnist, have more than a passing resemblance. Bubba Tillman was so convinced Princess was moonlighting as Sweetie that Princess finally took pen to paper to set the record straight.
Hello all, Tillatoba K9 correspondent Princess here, living country life as usual.
Bubba keeps talking about this city dog twin of mine corresponding in the newspaper right regular, so I figured I’d send in another article about country dog life. I don’t see the resemblance between us, but Bubba thinks I’m moonlighting on him. I can’t seem to convince him otherwise. Maybe Sweetie and I will meet one day and settle this thing once and for all.
I will admit we have a few things in common.
We both appreciate a good snack. After that, however, Sweetie can keep her city amenities. I’m a country dog, although, just amongst us, I hear-tell she does enjoy a good ramble herself now and then.
My days generally start with important responsibilities around the place. I can find deer horns to chew on, bark at cars when they drive by and go ramble outside with no worries. But my favorite activity is my daily squirrel patrol around the yard. Bubba doesn’t like me chasing them, but I do it anyway.
Most afternoons, Bubba and I load up in his old Ford pickup and make our rounds through Tillatoba. I stick my head out the window because there is no point in riding around if you can’t smell where you’ve been.
That’s one place Sweetie and I may disagree about air conditioning. She can have all she wants. Turn the A/C on in the truck and I can’t hang my head out the window.
We usually ride out by Union Cemetery, where I get out and conduct a quick squirrel inspection. Sometimes we head toward the lake so I can splash around a little before finding a shade tree during the hottest part of the day. Then it’s back home, where I generally expect Vienna sausages for an afternoon snack.
I occasionally have to share those with my dog sister, Lemon.
I don’t care much for that arrangement, either, but I do what Bubba says.
Most of the time.
Recently he took me fishing. I kept trying to get the fish off the stringer. He kept insisting I had to wait until they were cooked, but I didn’t want to hear any of it. They are way more fun when they are alive.
But I suppose my finest piece of outdoor work came after one of Bubba’s deer hunts back before the big ice storm.
Bubba had shot a big 10-point buck and couldn’t find it. He looked and looked, going back and forth through the woods without any luck.
Bubba took me over there to help.
Now, I don’t want to embarrass the man.
But apparently this was a job that required professional help.
I went across the ditch and down the creek, caught the scent and started working my way up a ridge. I checked it, came back down, then went right back up the same ridge.
Bubba finally decided I might know something he didn’t.
About 25 yards farther along, there it was — head, horns and all.
Ten points.
You’re welcome, Bubba.
I suppose Sweetie has plenty to write about from Water Valley. She has air conditioning, city streets and whatever else those sophisticated city dogs occupy themselves with.
I’ve got squirrels, fishing holes, deer trails, an old Ford pickup and the whole countryside around Tillatoba to patrol.
Come bedtime, though, I will admit that air conditioning isn’t such a bad invention.
Until next time, stay cool, chase squirrels and eat snacks.
Princess
Tillatoba K9 Correspondent
