Dear Clayton

Dear Clayton,

Hello!

What fun getting a letter from you!

I always walk my Mistress out to the mailbox to make sure that nothing happens to her. She is always getting mail, but there is never anything for me. So you can imagine my excitement when she said that there was actually a letter for me.

I barked and jumped around and would have chewed the letter to show my love if I could have gotten near it. Instead my Mistress read it to me while I hung onto every word. She left me keep the envelope, which I have carefully sniffed to get your scent.

Then yesterday I overheard my Mistress talking on the phone and from what I gather you were knocking on the Pearly Gates. You sure had my Mistress in a dither. The phone kept ringing until I got plum dizzy and lay down to take a nap.

It sounds like your doctor's visit was lots more scarier than mine. I had to go and get a couple of shots myself. Thankfully they didn't react on me like yours did.

I wasn't sure exactly what was going on when my Mistress took me in the car for a ride. I curled up close in her lap for security as she drove down the road. Then she took me into a building that had all kinds of strange smells. I started trembling I was so scared. I was glad when my Mistress picked me up and held me in her arms. I hope your Mistress holds you when you get scared. It sure helps.

My doggy doctor, Cindy Johnson, said that I looked very healthy. She smiled and petted my fur. She was so nice and kind, I didn't even know when I got the shots.

The next thing I knew my Mistress was taking me back out into the waiting room where there was lots of people. One little girl got quite excited when she saw me. I have to admit I did look rather nice with my pink hair bows. Everyone smiled at me and said what a pretty dog I was. I almost felt like a celebrity.

So as I left I waved a paw to say good-bye to all the nice people at the Dogwood Animal Clinic. It made me feel so good that I actually sat up on my Mistress lap to see where we were going. I wanted to make sure that she knew the way back home. When I got back home I took a good long nap. I was plum wore out from all the excitement.

I also had a scary day last week. First the Master left, which I hardly notice anymore as he comes and goes a lot. Then I watched my Mistress get dressed and put on her hat and I knew that she was going to leave me again for a short bit. I still don't like it when she leaves even though she promises me every time that she will come back. Sometimes I whine a tiny bit and bark to let her know how I feel.

The worst is when the door goes shut and I hear the car start up. Then I always go to my spot where I can see the door, lie down, and wait until she returns. Well I was being a good dog and patiently waiting- sometimes it seems to take forever- when I heard a vehicle return.

I sat up and was waiting when the Master came in. I wagged my tail to say hello and ran in circles around him as he talked to me. But everywhere I looked I couldn't see my Mistress. I even ran to the door and sniffed, but she wasn't there. The Master acted like nothing was wrong so I barked and whined to get his attention. I couldn't believe that he had somehow forgot and left my Mistress behind somewhere. I know he forgets things sometimes, but how could he forget my Mistress? I started to panic. The Master kept telling me that everything was okay.

Then I had a terrible thought. "Surely he didn't go and abandon my sweet Mistress!"

I tell you it was such an awful feeling almost as bad as when I was abandoned myself. I whined and barked trying to help the Master remember where he had left her. In fact if a door would have been open I would have started down the road myself looking for my Mistress.

In a little bit the Master left the house again. I was hoping desperately that he was going to go back and get my Mistress. I tried to settle myself down, but kept turning around in circles. It was a doggy nightmare. No matter what I did I couldn't get comfortable and relax.

A little while later my ears perked way up when I heard another vehicle come into the driveway and stop. I was trembling all over by the time I heard the door unlock. Then when I saw my beloved Mistress I simply went wild. She couldn't understand why I was jumping all over her and barking at the top of my voice. I was so excited to see her again. I hope I never have to go through that scary experience again. I've kept close watch on my Mistress since to make sure that she doesn't disappear.

And for all our sakes I sure hope that you never have another scary day at the doctors again either. So much excitement wears me out.

I've had another haircut so thought I'd send you a picture of me with my pink bows. It is puzzling the way my Mistress gets all excited every time she holds up a small silver box to her eyes and clicks a button, but humans are strange at times.

Sending lots of doggy prayers your way,

Lucy Lou