A voice...

As I made my way up the back yard to Teddy's "dining" area, I heard the gobblers near by. They are a noisy bunch! And boy are they huge! Never mind you hunters you're not allowed to hunt that close to homes. Any how...I placed his food approx 12" inside the trap with high hopes once again. I retreated back to the house to complete some chores but continued to check periodically for my backyard black and white flash. Time passed and I grew concerned that once again he would not be returning and then I heard it...

A bark...a continuous bark...an unfamiliar bark, yet I knew immediately who it was. It surely was Teddy and he was right behind the line of thickened brush in our back yard. While I couldn't see him, I heard him loud and clear, he was close. When I showed dogs a friend had collies and they have a very distinctive bark...it WAS him, I know it! It was the type of bark signifying either a standoff with something or a startle then stand-off as it went on for quite a while. I wasn't sure if he came upon a snake, saw something else that brought up his dander, or perhaps even he came upon a turkey. I stood on the balcony with binoculars in one hand and a video cam in the other. I struggled to see, trying to scan the thickened brush, but it was for naught as the buds and blooms filled the area. I so wanted to go see what had his vocal attention as this had never happened before. I thought about creeping up, but my instinct held me back, as first I knew he would try to run if he saw or heard me, and second I was concerned that I would startle and distract him, and he would run without thinking and perhaps get in trouble with whatever had his attention. He barked like that for a few minutes and then stopped. I didn't hear him yelp so I was relieved about that, however, he did not come to dine. Whatever it was either filled his belly or scared him away.

It was soooo good to hear his voice though. I remember when my dog Hanna was so sick and she didn't bark for what seemed to be an eternity. And then one day her bark returned and I knew she was on the way to recovery, which she did. A bark is just so natural, and to hear one from a dog (sick or runaway) that has been silent, is music to one's ears. It truly is the little things in life we must appreciate.

Hopefully he will return tomorrow and we will continue our quest. Perhaps he dined on a fresh turkey this morning (although I didn't hear that kind of noise either). I hope that he is okay and I'll see him in the morning.

Your prayers for his safety and rescue are appreciated!