Did ‘man’s best friend’ guard me with his life? Not on your nelly!
IT was extremely windy when I took the dogs out walking this morning.
Our garden furniture was strewn across the lawn and the wheelie bin was on its way to Congleton.
I jammed my cap on tight as we strode heads down into the wind, the dogs trailing in my wake.
As we walked the bridle path towards Teggs Nose I noticed a distinct lack of birds.
Lower Reservoir was extremely choppy, with spray cascading over the wall at one point.
I stopped to take a photo when a mighty tearing sound boomed around us.
My mind raced to discover the source. I thought it may be thunder until a massive oak split completely in two, casting half its trunk and the whole canopy towards the ground.
Had it not been for the dogs shepherding me off the footpath I’d have been crushed under the enormous impact.
Throughout the ordeal my faithful old Lab, Murphy, lay protectively across my chest taking a whipping from the falling branches.
Yeah…well that’s how it would be in a Disney film but not with real dogs. Once the tree split so did they. They couldn’t get away fast enough. Murphy, who had been malingering all week, bolted like a greyhound from a trap and was fully 100 yards away before the first branch hit the ground.
Had I been relying on him for my safety I’d be writing this from A&E. After all I’ve done for Murphy over the years… didn’t I give Mrs B’s car away to acquire him? (I’m still paying for that). You’d think he’d show a bit of gratitude.
That dog has cost me a fortune, I bought a special truck to chauffeur him around and feed him the best money can buy and this is what I get: a deserter.
Obviously Disney never met Murphy.