On Sunday, Farmer H was sitting in the La-Z-Boy, trying to watch the Daytona 500 that got rained out, when he had a text from HOS (Farmer H's Oldest Son). HOS wanted to know if Farmer H had a sewing machine. That's neither here nor there. I have no idea why he wanted one. Farmer H just happens to have one over in his Freight Container Garage, surprise, surprise, from the original 18 storage units that he bought.
Anyhoo...we don't hear from HOS much lately. He's busy working all day. He did text Farmer H a week or so ago, to ask what was going on with the tree trimming. He said he'd been up to his old place (still has a "collection" of stuff there, like father like son), and saw tire tracks all around.
Anyhoo...I asked Farmer H when he was going to tell HOS about Marley.
"He's been gone over two weeks. You're going to have to let them know sometime."
"Yeah. I'll text him back."
Farmer H sent a text:
"Marley is gone. Did you guys come and get him?"
Just in case, you know. Because HOS brought Marley down and left him when he moved, and didn't bother to say that he was in the pen. Good thing Farmer H noticed him on the way to the BARn.
There was no response until the next morning. Monday. President's Day. All HOS said was,
"Marley showed up at our house."
What in the NOT-HEAVEN? If I was British, and a bit dramatic, I would exclaim,
"Not bloody likely!"
It's five miles to town. Then another five, through a civilized, paved area, through two more towns, to where HOS lives. Probably 10 miles total, through a populated area, lots of traffic. Even though HOS had said previously, during the moving months, that they'd taken Marley to town a couple times, no way was that dog going to know how to get there on foot! Especially not when he had a cough, or had been chewed up by Jack.
"I guess HOS thinks I'm stupid. No way did that dog find his house in town!"
"Maybe...Mrs. HOS came out to visit. You said she's friends with the neighbors up there. Maybe Marley was running around, and she took him home, and didn't want to tell HOS, in case he wasn't ready to bring Marley yet. So in HOS's mind, Marley showed up at his house, because that's what Mrs. HOS might have told him."
Marley's travels will remain a mystery, unless HOSS gives up the goods during this week's pizza dinner.
Anyhoo...it's a relief to know that Marley is okay, and reunited with little HOSS. I hope he gets along with their new dog...
Something smells rotten... and it's not Marley's messed up and matted fur after running the trails and streets for 10 miles, either...
ReplyDeleteSioux,
ReplyDeleteThe details have yet to be uncovered. The pizza supper was canceled due to Farmer H's busy week. I'm leaning towards a cover-up. I don't see any reason HOS wouldn't just say that he picked up Marley, if that's what happened. It's not like we're so attached that we wouldn't want to give him up. Marley made life harder for the other dogs when he was out, and made life harder for me and Farmer H if we had to keep him penned like a prisoner, not living his best life.
I was going to suggest holding the pizza to ransom in exchange for how Marley got there, then I read your reply to Sioux about the pizza dinner being cancelled. Why are people so sneaky about things? Perhaps they're afraid you will corner them into a "cup of tea and a scone?"
ReplyDeleteRiver,
ReplyDeleteI don't know! Unless HOS had been out here, and didn't want to say so, since he hadn't mentioned it to us.
I am so glad Jack did not commit murder! Poor little Marley, unloved by Jack, He probably put all his meager belongings in an old towel and tied it to a stick and began his long journey in search of his previous owners. He looked so sad, his fur matted and unkempt as he struggled those last few miles, dragging his stick along, sniffing valiantly for the smell of those who used to love him, tears rolling down his cheeks …. I could go on. He clearly never captured your heart and I really am happy to know he is home, no matter how he got there.
ReplyDeleteKathy,
ReplyDeleteYes, poor Marley. Let's not forget his goose-honking cough as he hoboed his way to town! I'm happy Marley is back with his family, but I'm worried that he'll live in a pen out behind the house, barking his fool head off for attention. That's what upset me the most about having him here. I didn't want him to live his life in a pen, but sometimes protective custody was needed.
My plan was to have Marley relieved of his family jewels, so maybe he would not be aggressive towards Jack, and could run free, and eventually be accepted into the pack. Jack DID back off if Marley had sense enough to act submissive. Which he rarely did. The warning growl, a couple nips, and it would have been over if Marley retreated.