Tales from the Bark Side

By Keith Ross | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, March 8, 2008

Welcome back to the bark side of life here in Ottertail where the wailing winter winds have calmed to a whisper and quietly the morning shines; pearl like in its splendor. It's this time of year when I long for warmer weather; waiting on winter to let go its grip and fade into blissful days and soft summer nights.

This week, I have a tale from Nina Allen of Perham that tickles the imagination and begs the question, “Was this Logic or was it Instinct”? Another category that I didn't include in this year's contest was psychic abilities. Does it exist and do our four and two legged friends possess it to any degree? I'll let Nina's tale speak tot hat issue and let you decide.

‘SPORTIE’

“This story is about a half-Collie and half-German Shepherd dog called “Sportie.” He was a good farm dog; he helped herd dairy cows and also watched over many needs of farm family life. After father passed away, mother moved into a house in the city of Perham. She gave Sportie away to a long-time farm family friend and wanted him to be their family dog.

“Sportie's new home was over 20 miles away from our Toad River farm in Corliss Township and another six miles to Perham. Mother and her younger daughter lived in the house in Perham from the fall of 1929 until March 1930.

“Then one day, unexpected company began to arrive for a visit to their home in Perham. The fact that no one knew the other was coming seems to be the strangest part of this story. First, the two sons from Iowa, then the oldest daughter (who was me) came from Akeley.

“The evening of the second day we all were there, I heard a familiar knock of three strikes on the back door. Could it be my Sportie? Sure enough it was.

“To all our surprise, there he was. He seemed to be “dog tired” from his travels. He had gone the 20 miles back to our old farm, didn't find his family, then he went the additional six miles to Perham to find us.

“How he managed to find us, I still do not know.

“After three days of visiting and resting, he departed again. Sportie made it back to his other home, as did the rest of us. It sure was nice to have all our family together once again.”

Thanks Nina, for a story that sounds a lot like “Lassie come home.” I believe animals have instinct but they possess that intangible trait that baffles the human mind. How on earth did that dog follow a scent that was no longer there, if it was there to start with? In the dead of winter?

There was more going on for Sportie than following a trail left by his loving mistress. It makes a person go hmm.

Next week, Nathan Johnson has a two-part tale that is a must-read. This young man won the “best critter tale” contest last year and he has a strong entry for this year's contest as well. It is a joy to read.

Remember, if you want to send in a tale for the Logic vs. Instinct contest, you can e-mail me at info@rosswoodkennels.com or write to me at Keith Alan Ross, Richville MN 56576, or you can also phone me at 218-495-2195.

Keith Alan Ross writes from his home in New York Mills.