Oh where is he???? I am just as worried as if he was a child - the deep-seated worry. I let him out when he wanted to go out, and he has not been seen or heard from since. It is wet and cold on the ground, so he is not lying down anywhere in the woods. If he can't come home tonight, I will be banging on the door of the animal shelter tomorrow, in the hopes that someone from there just picked him up. But he wears a collar with our phone numbers in bold lettering around his neck - so what the heck? Why haven't we been called by now? He never disappears from here - not since he became mature and sensible enough to stay out of trouble. He had a bloody paw the last couple of days, and that might indicate some snare problems. Oh stop!
A large buck with a fine rack accompanied our doe this evening, as she tiptoed past the house, down by the garage. I had gone outside to again call the dog, but my calling only produced stamping by the buck. My Pepper's been lying on the floor, appreciatively lapping up treats as I give them to her.
I made a crockpot full of beans today. I put in as many kinds of legumes as I have in the cupboard, and cleaned up all the little bags of chickpeas, lentils, and soybeans that needed to be cleaned up and used before I get another supply. I also put in white northern beans, black beans and pinto beans. I got 3 cups of mixed beans, 4 cups (at least) of water, and the spices that appealed to me right then - salt, lemon pepper, paprika, um..., ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and whatever else I thought appropriate at the time. But only small amounts - I didn't want to overdo it. I made very lean hamburgers and added a dish of corn chips on the side. I am full, and will eat my Jello dessert with Cool Whip later on.
I know that many problems exist in the world today, far more serious than a missing dog, but I am praying that he will come home soon, or be found safe and sound.
Latest news this evening - HE HAS NEVER BEEN LOST, JUST TOOK A RIDE WITH DADDY WHEN HE WAS PICKED UP ON THE ROAD! HE'S SAFE AND SOUND!