State Bird

I find it a bit amusing that our state bird is the NORTHERN Mockingbird , here in the Deep South! :—) File that with all the other in congruencies in this state! Ha! Anyway, here she is! They are spunky little things and defend their nests courageously, dive bombing all passersby!
Well we had a thing happen the other night ( don’t worry, all turned out well!) . We went to town and when we returned it was dark and , no FRANK. He always meets us. We made a couple of rounds in the house then searched everywhere outside: barn, carport, perimeters, etc. I’m imagining the worst. He is after all 14 and a half years old and occasionally has seizures ( none in a couple of years, thankfully!)
I’m telling myself: He’s just a dog. You can’t waste tears for a dog when so many around us have recently lost family. However, my heart over ruled my head. He is a dog. I acknowledge that. However, he is my constant companion, and , well, a huge part of my emotional support. He is furry family. Finally, after about an hour of searching in the cold, we start inside. Johnny stops and says: Ann, did you paint upstairs today? Welll yes, yes I did. Then we heard the howling! :—) He was standing by the window howling. He had seen our flashlights in the yard. He’d not been up there long. He keeps me company while I paint and I guess he had fallen asleep in the corner. Just another reality check. Life is short and uncertain. I must cherish what I have right now. :—)
Be blessed!