Dear Cookie

On March 23rd, 2002 your Mom began her visits to the farm. That first day you did your patented trot around the kitchen table in anticipation of dinner.

Just a few weeks ago, Riley started that same trot around the kitchen island. Both Mom and I were overjoyed by it. Such a simple gesture but it reminded us so much of you.

For several weeks Mom visited you and the two of you grew closer. Finally Mom was able to take you home. Your parents at the time wanted to make sure that Mom was the right person for you.

We didn't met until November of 2003. By then you and Mom were thicker than thieves.

At that time I was looking for someone to have fun with. I was single and loving it. What I got was so much more. I never anticipated falling for a dog just as hard as I would fall for a girl.

A friend posted this on Facebook today.

"Every once in a while a dog enters your life and changes everything."


You changed everything for me, Cookie.

The Bridge

The tall grass began to sway back and forth. At the ends of the grass were blooms of brown wheat-like frays. The breeze picked up, bending the grass so that the frays kissed the ground before snapping upright.

Stryker placed his paw on Cookie's shoulder. His gentle embrace pulled her attention away from the dancing tall grass and she looked into his eyes. The deep pools of brown were filled with such kindness and love. Today, there was a hint of sadness, the kind of sadness that creeps in when a new arrival is making their journey to the Bridge.

He didn't need to say anything; his expression spoke a thousand words. The two made their way to Turtle Pond.

A crowd had already gathered; word had travelled fast. On the shores of Turtle Pond were Cleo, Gypsy Belle, Talia, Beezer and Uli. In the distance, The Lady Melanie ran anchor. The crew, lead by Captain Ernie George, had boarded Roman’s Floating Doghouse and was making their way to shore.

Autumn, Jamaica and Tammy skillfully maneuvered two waverunners into place next to the Bridge.

Fred, Rinky, Wyoming, Cheyenne, Molly, Tinsleigh, Abby, Kirby and Jordan whispered amongst each other.

Trusty, Remy and Bailey were handing out beverages and baked goods. Elvis, Mercury and Daisy sat together under a tree.

Rosie arrived with Vermont Labbies, Remy and Magnum, and her best pals, Daisy, Jack a Roo and Flopsy. With Rosie were all of the dogs and cats that were now living out on the farm with her. The entire crew had made the journey to Turtle Pond for the newest arrival.

Lucas and Sadie Mae splashed around in the water, while Boudy and Moe watched.

Quincy pranced by and gave Cookie a nod, Cosmo and Butch were just steps behind him.

As Roman's Floating Doghouse pulled into shore, Jarvis positioned the boarding plank and Louie, Alex, Max, Pongo, Sheb'z, Spike, Sheba and Miracle were the first off.

Today was a special day.

The breeze picked up once again and everyone turned his or her attention towards the Bridge. A brilliant rainbow stretched across the sky and hovered over the Bridge. The colours, so vibrant and warm, melded together to create a magnificent spectacle.

The first glimpse of the new arrival came into view. A stark white coat of fur contrasted against the dark wood of the Bridge.

Slowly, he placed one paw in front of the other. Each step made cautiously. His large ears swiveled, picking up the slightest noise. Before him he saw a group of dogs and cats. They stretched across the shore for as far as he could see.

The sound of water turned his attention to the right where he saw two waverunners docked. His tail danced at a familiar sight. He had grown up playing on a waverunner. In fact, his Mom had loved riding upon them.

He continued to make his way across the Bridge. As he approached the highest point, white ears like his came into view.

He continued.

He could now see the face of the dog that waited for him at the end of the Bridge. He hadn't seen this face for many years. Now she was standing before him.

The light that had dimmed and faded from his eyes, once again blazoned with light. His ears went forward, his tail spun in circles. He bowed in playfulness and leapt onto his back legs. The cautiousness he once displayed was now gone. The joy he was showing flooded over the others that waited to greet him.

"My boy," said the dog at the end of the Bridge. "My sweet, boy. Dozer, come to Momma."

He began to run, only a few steps into his charge and he was stopped in his tracks.

From the railing of the Bridge came Dozer's Domestic Shorthair kitty friend, Lucy. She had jumped on his head and wrapped her body around his neck.

Dozer reached up and stroked the back of his dear kitty friend.

"Lucy Kitty!" He exclaimed with joy.

The embrace brought a tear to Cheyanne's eye. She hurried up the Bridge and meet Dozer and Lucy. Dozer, with Lucy Kitty on his shoulder, hugged his Mom.

"I've missed you so much," he said.

"You are home, my dear boy," she replied.

Just behind Cheyanne was Dozer's brother, Bob.

The family embraced, together again.

"Come, Dozer," said Cheyanne. "There are so many wonderful pups and cats for you to meet. Great adventures await."

You'll never believe it

Last night Dad and I slept in my Bachelor Pad. That's right.

Dad is camping out in front of a new home sales office to ensure that we're first in line for a release of highly sought-after lots.

The good news is that we're first in line and we'll get the awesome lot we want. The bad news is that it's cold. Dad and I had to snuggle real close.

I'm at home now with Caileigh, but Dad is still at the sales centre. Either Dad or Mom have to be there until Saturday.

I'm sure I'll make my way back there and spend some more time with Dad at some point.

Big birthday day here at the Bridge

Today is a big day here at the Bridge, a special day.

Three of my dear friends are celebrating their earthly birthdays.

We still celebrate our earthly birthdays at the Bridge; not because we're aging, that stopped when we made our journey here, but instead to celebrate the years we spent with our families on earth.

Today I wish a very happy earthly birthday to my dear friend, Cheyanne. This beautiful white German Shepherd is our resident waverunner expert. She can always be found out on Turtle Pond, racing around. Be careful, though, she's been known to send passenger's for an unexpected swim if the turn is too tight, as Rosie learned a few years ago.

I also want to wish a happy earthly birthday to my other friend, Cheyenne. Can you believe it--two Cheya(e)nnes, just different spellings?! This beautiful girl has been joined here at the Bridge by her daughter, Wyoming, and most recently her adopted friend, Molly. You can often find Cheyenne mothering Wyoming and making sure that she is happy and safe, just as she did on earth.

My third pal, is a dear galpal. Sheb'z, a beautiful dobie, is spending the day watching over her Mom and Maya. The two of us spend hours together watching our families.

Happy earthly birthday to three sweet girls. Each of them enrich my life here at the Bridge.

Ernie George and The Tale of The Dutch Flute-- The Final Chapter

The raccoon reached down and took a walking stick, which lay on the ship deck, into his paw. He gripped it tightly. EG continued to spin the large wheel and maneuvered the ship away from the dock.

Step by step the raccoon got closer and closer. Just a few paces away from Ernie George, he raised the stick into the air. He took a breath and powered the stick toward his intended victim. In mid air, the stick came to a stop.

At that moment, Ernie George heard a voice; it traveled on the winds that blew through the sails of the ship.

"OMD!! Ernie George! Dis r me, Zaidie, tellin' yu tu WOOK 'hind yu, my fwiend!"

The voice transcended a great distance to warn the Scottish Terrier of the danger that awaited him. EG turned around and for the first time learned what was going on behind.

Gripping the stick was Rinky. The Shar-pei had prevented the raccoon from striking the new Captain of the Dutch Flute. The raccoon pulled on the stick and tore it from Rinky's grip. Enraged, the raccoon swung the stick back and with his entire strength thrust the stick forward, striking the dog standing in front of him, breaking the stick in two.

At the last moment, Louie had stepped in front of Rinky and took the full force of the stick's blow.

"Oh you didn't just do that!" Barked Louie.

Louie reached down and grabbed the raccoon and tossed him across the ship deck. The raccoon crashed into a group of barrels sending them in different directions.

"Fists of fury . . . finally unleashed!!!" Louie cried out.

The raccoon got to his paws and stumbled, dazed from crashing into the barrels. Louie readied his paws, his legendary fists of fury now being called into action.

The pups watched from the dock. They could see Louie approach the raccoon.

"Stop," Ernie George said as he placed his paw on Louie's shoulder. The lab/mix wanted more than anything to deliver several blows to the raccoon.

"I's not want you to hurts him . . . please, Louie," Ernie George pleaded with his friend.

Louie turned to the raccoon and said, "Leave. Never show yourself in our village and the surrounding area, or next time you won't be so lucky."

The raccoon jumped over the railing and plunged into the water below. Ernie George and his Bichon Frise pal, Ben, watched him swim away.

Ernie George returned to the wheel and positioned the ship closer to shore. Several dogs boarded the Dutch Flute, while the others got aboard the floating doghouse.

Cheyanne brought the waverunner along side of the floating doghouse. Autumn secured the watercraft. The two, along with the two black dogs that they had rescued, boarded the doghouse. Cleo, Stryker and Moe rushed over to greet them.

"So we get to meet our black dog friends," Cleo said as she approached.

"I'm Tammy," said the Shepherd/Husky mix. "And I'm Jamaica," said the Chow/Aussie mix.

The Dutch Flute and floating doghouse set sail. After several minutes the shoreline and town were just small specs in the distance.

Aboard the Dutch Flute, Boudy asked Louie, "So, why were you on the corner when we left the bar?"

The lab/mix looked at his friend, while the others also waited for his response. "What?" He replied. "What? A guy can't take a trip on his own? Follow his own adventures?"

"Does your bro, Jimmy, know that you were in Rivertown looking for adventure?" Sheba asked.

"No," he quickly responded. "No, he doesn't and you never saw me there." Louie walked away not wanting to discuss it any further.

Ernie George walked to the railing.

"Friends," EG called out.

The pups and I on the floating doghouse looked up at EG on the Dutch Flute while we travelled along side of the merchant ship. The pups on the ship also directed their attention to EG.

"Thanks youse all so much," The Scottish Terrier said. "This grand shippy is my dream."

EG smashed a bottle of Champagne, the good stuff, a stash Ben had found in the Captain's quarters, against the railing and said, "I call this vessel, The Lady Melanie . . . after my Mama, who I's love and love and love."

Ernie George and The Tale of The Dutch Flute -- Part 4

The raccoon now led a larger group, reinforcements, that had joined their captain. At least 20 foxes, bears, cheetahs and panthers followed the raccoon down the road.

"This doesn't look good," said Rinky. The Shar-pei had a huge heart and was full of kindness. This encounter was taking its toll on her and the others knew it.

"Rinky," Roman called to her. "Help Sam with the controls, you'll be safe onboard with him." The Doberman leapt off the floating doghouse and joined the others on the pier.

Cleo, Stryker, Roman, Boudy, Cookie and Louie looked at each other, each waiting for someone else to begin barking orders, but everything was unfolding too quickly. The goons were only a few paces away.

The first group led by the raccoon headed to the Dutch Flute. The Pointers were still raising the sails, but the anchor was up and slowly the vessel was pulling away from the dock.

Louie, Cleo and Stryker stepped in front of the raccoon and the others.

"Come and get it, you dirty panther," Louie barked. "I want you to meet my little friends, Righty and Lefty," the lab/mix said while looking at his right paw and then his left.

The panther stopped in front of him. Louie began shadow boxing. The panther reached to its side and pulled a long curved saber from a decorative sheath. The panther began waving the saber from side-to-side.

"A sword!!" Louie proclaimed. "A sword!! Whatever happened to a good old fisticuff? Come on you, fend—fight like a man!!"

Movement on the panther's right caught Louie's attention. Swinging from one of the ship's large ropes came Terrier, Spike. He crashed into the unsuspecting panther. The shock of the blow knocked the panther out. Spike swung back toward the ship and dropped from the rope and landed on the deck.

The raccoon had left his goons to fight on the dock while he jumped onto the side of the ship and began to make his way up the side to the deck.

Rinky called out from the floating doghouse when he spotted the raccoon, "He's climbing up the side." The Shar=pei pointed the crafty coonie out and continued to call out to his friends, but they were all too busy to notice.

Cleo and Stryker found themselves in a standoff with a number of crew members. The two stood back-to-back while the goons circled them.

Roman, Boudy and I stood guard over the floating doghouse. Sam had it idling within jumping distance of the dock. Cheyanne and Autumn maneuvered the waverunner around each ship.

The sails were now fully raised and the Pointers were leaving their posts to join us on the dock.

The circling goons moved in on Cleo and Stryker.

The roar of a small engine startled the goons and as they turned the last thing that they saw were the headlights of the flatbed vehicle rushing towards them. The impact of the truck sent several of the goons high into the air. Bodies flew in every direction and with a splash they fell into the water.

As the vehicle came to a stop, Moe high-pawed the Chow/Aussie mix, and joined Cleo and Stryker.

Several of the goons that were considering taking us on and boarding the floating doghouse turned their attentions to the two dogs with the flatbed truck after watching several of their friends being knocked into the water.

The panthers raced after the truck, following it down the dock. With each step they got closer and closer. The Shepherd/Husky mix turned to look at his pursuers and as he did he watched them leap onto the flatbed platform where earlier Moe had been.

The Chow/Aussie growled and bared its teeth, but this did little to strike fear in the panthers. The truck raced down the dock. In the water, Cheyanne and Autumn ran the waverunner parallel to the truck.

Cheyanne called out to the two dogs.

The truck continued down the dock as the panthers moved in. At the end of the dock was a large shipping container. The Shepherd/Husky hit the gas and the truck sped up, heading straight for the container. At the last moment the two black dogs leapt from the truck and flew in the air towards Cheyanne and Autumn. The two landed on the waverunner, lurching it sideways. Autumn grabbed hold of the two before they fell into the water, while Cheyanne steadied the watercraft to prevent it from toppling over.

The four watched as the truck crashed into the shipping container with the panthers still onboard.

Back at the ship and floating doghouse, Remy and Magnum returned. The remaining goons decided to give up their assault at the sight of the two Vermont Labbies.

"We're sure glad to have you two and Moe back," Cleo remarked.

The floating doghouse idled up close to the Dutch Flute. Rinky had been calling out to her friends in an attempt to warn them about the raccoon but to no avail. As the ship came closer, she grabbed hold of a rope and began to pull herself up, leaving the safety of the floating doghouse.

On the deck of the Dutch Flute, Ernie George stood alone at the controls. His first mate, Ben, was manning the sails with help from Spike, Sheba and Miracle.

The raccoon crept up slowly. Ernie George was unaware of his enemy's approach.

To be continued . . .

Ernie George and The Tale of The Dutch Flute -- Part 3

The entire bar spilled out onto the street led by the enraged raccoon.

Like a defensive line, Remy, Magnum and Moe hung back to give us a chance to get a head start. The taller dogs with long legs pulled out ahead, while Ernie George, Spike, Sheba and Miracle had trouble keeping up.

As big and strong as the Vermont Labbies and Moe are, a number of angry crew members of the Dutch Flute got by them, including the raccoon. It didn't take long for two red foxes to catch up to the Terriers.

Spike looked back as he could feel heavy breathing and saw the fox open its jaws in an attempt to clamp down on him. At that moment a paw snatched up the Terrier and tossed him onto its back. At that same moment, Sheba, Miracle and Ernie George were also picked up. The four pups were now riding on the backs of Tinsleigh, Abby, Max and Alex, while Harley delivered a flying body block that knocked the two foxes off their paws.

Unfortunately just behind the lead foxes were the raccoon and two black panthers. Their chiseled muscles bulged and flexed with each powerful stride. German Shorthair Pointers, Spike, Remington and Kirby attempted to cut them off but the two panthers successfully dodged their attempt and continued their pursuit.

"I want the head of that swine Scot!! Cried the raccoon as it tried to keep up with the faster panthers.

By this point the group was scattered, each running at their own pace. At the front Stryker, Boudy, Rosie and I raced towards the harbour. Our pace was quick and with each powerful stride we powered ourselves forward.

Ben and Quincy were several paces behind us, while even further back were Rinky, Louie and Cleo.

The Pointers with the Terriers on their backs were catching up to the trailing pack. Cleo turned and saw them approaching and just behind them she saw the black panthers. The three of them stopped as the Pointers ran by them. Like a jockey atop a horse, Ernie George was tapping Alex's bum with the rolled up deed to get him to pick up the pace.

Rinky, Cleo and Louie stood their ground, awaiting the oncoming panthers.

"Oh yeah, now it's time for a little fists of fury," barked Louie.

The panthers closed in when from the side street came two vendor carts filled with fresh fruit and veggies. The panthers didn't have any time to break; they crashed into the carts sending fruit in every direction.

"Duh," Louie bellowed in frustration. "What the hell? I was ready to unleash a world of hurt."

From behind the carts emerged two black dogs. One a Shepherd/Husky mix and the other a Chow/Aussie mix.

The Chow/Aussie mix called out, "Get to the harbour with your friends, we'll help the others."

Cleo waved to the two dogs and then joined Louie and Rinky.

Back outside the bar, Remy, Magnum and Moe took on the remaining crew. The drunken fools put up very little fight against the three powerhouses. When the last bear hit the pavement after suffering a mighty blow from Magnum, the three set off to join the others.

Remy and Magnum got way out in front, while Moe struggled to keep up. His large frame made it difficult for him.

"Beep. Beep." Sounded a horn. Moe turned, fully expecting to see reinforcements, called in to assist the others. Instead he found two black dogs driving a flatbed vehicle.

"Jump aboard," said one of the dogs. "We'll get you to the dock," said the other.

Moe, never one to turn down a ride, jumped into the back of the vehicle. The driver hit the gas and the vehicle chugged along. As it came up next to Remy and Magnum, Moe just waved, a full grin stretched across his face.

Stryker, Rosie, Boudy and I were within ear-shot of the dock.

"Fire up the engine!!" Stryker barked.

Cheyanne turned and looked back at the four running towards them. She had seen this before and without hesitation she called to Roman to start the engines.

"Autumn, get the waverunner into the water," she continued. "We may need it."

Roman and Sam burst into action. The engine of the floating doghouse started up as Sam began to untie the ropes from the dock. Roman would be able to keep the doghouse close enough to shore for everyone to board, and then in an instance have it pull away, keeping them all safe.

As the four neared the dock, just a few paces behind them were the Pointers with the Terriers riding bareback.

"Take us to the Dutch Flute," Ernie George said to Alex.

Meanwhile, the raccoon had re-assembled members of his defeated crew and now found himself heading to the dock with the foxes and panthers.

Stryker and Boudy rushed to the Dutch Flute, where Alex dropped off Ernie George. EG's hinder was wiggling a mile a minute at the mere sight of the magnificent vessel. Knowing he had little time, he kept his moment of admiring his prize, short.

He then began to bark orders, "Pull up the anchor and get in position to raise the sails."

Stryker and Boudy took turns on the reel and slowly the anchor started to move. Rosie rushed over from the floating doghouse to also lend a hand. Coming down the main road were Ben and Quincy and not too far behind them were Louie, Cleo and Rinky.

Ben headed straight for the Dutch Flute. "First Mate, Ben, reporting for duty," he called out to Ernie George.

"Raise the sails," EG barked.

Alex, Abby, Tinsleigh, Kirby, Spike, Max, Harley and Remington began pulling on ropes and slowly the massive sails took shape.

Cheyanne and Autumn started up the waverunner and pulled away from the floating doghouse.

Roman looked up the road in hopes of seeing The Vermont Labbies and Moe, but instead saw the raccoon and his army of goons.

"They're coming!!" Roman barked.

To be continued . . . on Monday

Ernie George and The Tale of The Dutch Flute -- Part 2

Ben gulped and nearly choked. He knew that it didn't look good and thanks to EG, he was going to have to join a new crew.

The pro-raccoon crowd, most of which were crew of the Dutch Flute, began to congratulate each other. A fine feast they would have thanks to the generosity of their captain.

I looked at Stryker and the disappointment was so very easy to read in his eyes. A poker face he certainly didn't have. Cleo rested her paw and placed it on his shoulder, she, too, knew that the last card hung on a wing and a prayer. I sure wish that Wyoming were here with us, I thought to myself. She always found a way to look at the bright side of everything. After all, she had fought cancer for several years and being successful at that brings with it lots of optimism.

I also thought about Roman, Sam, Cheyanne and Autumn. The four were on the floating doghouse that was just next to the Dutch Flute, waiting for our return, unaware of what was unfolding. Tinsleigh, Kirby and Abby also had no idea, instead of joining us they had gone with Spike, Alex, Harley, Remington and Max to the movie theatre. The movie was likely just getting out.

Remy and Magnum pulled me from my thoughts as they tried to make a little break in the crowd so that Rosie could see. Remy lifted her onto his shoulders.

I looked back at Ernie George and in all the chaos and excitement he simply stroked his reddish beard with his paw.

The dealer burned a card and pulled the next one, the river. Slowly the dealer turned the card. From my vantage point, I first saw that it was red, and then I could make out that it was a diamond. It was from the reaction of the crowd that I knew it was a five.

A straight flush!!!! The improbable had happened.

Ben felt his knees buckle and give out. Luckily Quincy was next to him and caught him before he ended up sprawled out on the floor.

"Cheat!" The outraged raccoon bellowed. "Swine, dirty, dirty little cheater!"

"Who is youse callin' a swine?" Countered Ernie George. "Youse George Cooney wanna be!"

The raccoon pounded the table with his paws and knocked it over, sending all of the money, and more importantly, the deed to the Dutch Flute, to the ground.

With a swiftness that I save only when hunting, I dashed for the over-turned table. I clunked my head on a wiggling, massive hinder—the stubby tail shaking back and forth, tickling my nose. Ernie George turned to face me, the rolled up scroll firmly in his mouth. Around us the crowd got crazy. This was just that spark I was talking about that was needed to set off the powder-keg.

At that moment I felt a tightening around the back of my neck and a sharp pull on my fur. The powerful grip lifted me upward and away from Ernie George. I turned and was looking directly into the eyes of a large Grizzle Bear. I only made eye contact with him for a fleeting second when he was launched sideways by a massive blow to his shoulder. The impact forced him to release his grip on me.

The bear skimmed across the floor, crashing into a table that sent the chairs in every direction.

Magnum asked, "Are you okay, Cookie?"

I nodded that I was fine.

The bear got to his paws and let out a mighty roar. My sweet Stryker brushed up against me and stroked the top and side of my head. With him was Cleo.

Standing across from the raging bear, the three—Magnum, Stryker and Cleo¬—prepared for its attack.

"Get EG out of here before they rip him apart," barked Stryker.

I turned and looked back to where I had last seen the head-strong Terrier, but he was gone.

"Cookie!!"

Around me the once behaved crowd now took to rough housing.

"Cookie!!"

I heard my name and turned towards the entrance where I saw Rosie. She was jumping up and down and barking at me. With her were Ben, Quincy and Ernie George.

Quincy reached into his dogpack and took out several of his prized tennis balls. He rolled them on the floor. As the crowd tussled in front of me, several foxes stepped on the balls and lost their footing. A path opened up that led me to the entrance.

As I made my way, I looked back and saw Stryker, Cleo and Magnum taking on two bears. Remy was rushing over to join in the fight.

I reached the others, Ernie George was in the centre and he still clutched the deed in his mouth. He gave it a little shake to show me that he wasn't letting go of it for anyone. Spike, Sheba and Miracle had followed me to the others. We now all stood together in the doorway.

"Let's get out of here," barked Rosie.

We all burst through the bar doors and stumbled out onto the street. The noise of the fighting inside tore through the silent calm of the sleepy little town.

On the corner, stood our dear friend, Louie.

"What in hell's name is going on?" he asked.

"We don't have any time to explain," replied Quincy. "We need to get to the floating doghouse."

Ernie George began to shake his head and point to the deed. Louie looked at him in puzzlement.

EG removed the deed and said, "And the Dutch Flute . . . the floating doghouse and the Dutch Flute. I'm not leaving without it."

Louie continued to look puzzled by the events unfolding.

"He won the merchant ship that is docked next to the floating doghouse in a poker game," Spike barked.

"Well, the old SOB that lost that ship can't be too happy," replied Louie in his cavalier way.

At that moment the doors of the bar opened and Rinky and Boudy came out in a hurry with two cheetahs just behind them snapping their teeth at their heels. As they made their way out they crashed into Louie who had his back to the doors.

"That's it," barked the hot-headed lab/mix. As he turned to face the onslaught, he said, "It'll be fists of fury for some poor sucker."

But as he turned around he found himself face-to-face with the cheetahs and they weren't happy.

Before they could attack, two massive paws gripped each of their heads and smacked them together, reducing them to a pile of limbs on the ground.

"Oh sure, big man," replied Louie. "You have to take all the glory, don't you?"

"A simply thank you will do," chuckled Moe.

Just behind the big man came Stryker, Cleo, Remy and Magnum.

Through the open door of the bar, the raccoon peered out and cried, "Get that dog!!"

To be continued . . .

Ernie George and The Tale of the Dutch Flute

The tension had been building for the last few poker hands, ever since the crafty raccoon had pushed Ernie George "all in".

How the Scottish Terrier found the courage to call, we simply don't know. Maybe the raccoon displayed a "tell" that EG had picked up on. A collective gasp came over the room when the fearless terrier had had enough of studying his masked nemesis and finally announced that he "called".

The board displayed Ace, King, Three of spades, with fourth street bringing a Ten of diamonds and the river showing a Two of hearts. EG had been betting out with the raccoon simply calling. Had the raccoon been slow playing? Drawing EG in while having the flush off the flop? It certainly looked that way.

Cleo and Stryker stood at the bar and the concern was visible on their faces. Spike, Sheba and Miracle turned away; they couldn't stand to watch any longer. Rosie buried her head into Vermont Labbie, Remy's chest, while his brother Magnum surveyed the tough crowd for any signs of trouble. Boudy and Moe sat at the bar, pretending to drink a high-ball of whiskey while EG's first mate, Ben, nervously paced the bar-room floor. Rinky and Quincy stood close to Ben, keeping an eye on him.

The overwhelmingly pro-raccoon crowd hovered over the table in anticipation of the big win. It was clear that they were certain that their friend had the flush, and to be honest, we also thought that EG had walked hinder first into a trap.

What we didn't notice was the grimace on the face of the raccoon when EG called. With almost unwavering certainty Ernie George turned over an ordinarily pathetic pair of Twos. And without waiting for the raccoon to reveal his hand, EG reached for the massive pot of money that sat in the middle of the table.

The raccoon jumped up from his chair in anger, throwing his cards down in defeat. A stone cold bluff!!! The raccoon revealed a three of hearts and a seven of clubs. The crowd, once jovial and beaming with excitement, now argued with each other after this turn for the worst.

The win had crimpled the raccoon, but he wasn't done. Now, several hands later, the board was once again beginning to take on an epic feel.

Ernie George was the first to act. He looked at his hole cards and raised. The raccoon called. The flop revealed an Ace, Three of diamonds and Eight of clubs; relatively harmless at first glance. The raccoon bet out, and Ernie George came over the top with a raise. This was a move that the crowd didn't like. The room was like a powder-keg and all it needed was the spark to set it off.

The raccoon sat back for a moment, the anger of his previous hand now took on a calm, calculating approach. He looked down at his stack of chips, reached for a pile and called.

Fourth street revealed a second Eight, this time of spades. As the card was turned, the raccoon studied EG, trying to pick up any sort of reaction that would help him in the hand. EG stood motionless, in fact, I had to look very closely to make sure he hadn't dosed off. I think, maybe, just for a second, he may have, although he denies it up and down.

The raccoon checked. Ernie reached down and tossed in another large stack of chips without hesitation. In equally quick fashion, the raccoon raised.

What could he have? A pair of Aces, maybe a straight draw, maybe a flush draw, maybe two pair?

Ernie George looked across at his opponent and he thought about all those times when that pesky raccoon, known as George Cooney, terrorized his backyard. That was then, here, EG was the Boss.

"Re-raise youse," Ernie George announced.

The crowd went crazy. Moe nearly fell off of his stool . . . it was a small stool and Moe is a Bull Mastiff after all.

Ernie George moved another large stack into the middle.

The raccoon motioned towards a fox standing near the entrance. When he approached, the raccoon whispered into his ear. The fox reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a scroll.

The raccoon took the scroll and placed it in the middle of the table. He then moved all of his chips in.

"I'm all in," shouted the raccoon. "Including the deed to my 80-foot Dutch Flute merchant ship."

That got Ernie George's attention in a hurry.

I glanced through the bar-room window and saw the impressive vessel where it was docked. This temptation would surely be far too great for EG to fold.

Ernie looked down at his chips, although he still had several large stacks, they were not as much as what the raccoon was wagering.

"I calles youse, and I include my first-mate, Ben . . . I loves that grand boaty of the seas," stammered EG. "Ben is the bestest mariner and from the ginormous island of Newfoundlanders."

"What?!" barked Ben. The shock of it all was getting to the Bichon Brise and loyal friend of Ernie George.

The raccoon revealed that he held pocket Aces--a full house of Aces over Eights. A nearly unbeatable hand. I could feel our collective hearts sink with despair.

Ernie George showed a Two and Four of diamonds.

The crowd erupted in excitement. The raccoon paw-pumped the air, certain that victory was just moments away.

Ernie George was drawing to the only hand that could beat the raccoon. EG needed not just any diamond, as a flush would still lose to a full house. No, he needed one card from the deck--a five of diamonds for a straight flush. The probability was slim.

To be continued . . .

My Sweet

The early morning sun burst into the room and shone across her face. The brightness and warmth awakened her.

She turned over and brushed her black nose against the long white fur of his neck. Gently she made her way up to his long pointed ear.

Tenderly she whispered, "Happy Rainbow Bridge Day, my sweet Stryker."