Kelly Swayne

Staying In The Boundaries Nellie, our dog, stands on my raised vegetable garden so her head just rest on the top of our wooden fence. She watches as people walk on the trail. Some have dogs , baby strollers, bikes. She does this often with complete content and pleasure from the safety of our yard. Never barking just watching, seems to be simply entertained. However, in October, I sat at my kitchen table watching her. She seemed very anxious. My husband and our two teen boys had gone hunting for a few days. Without them home she looked to me for fulfillment. I gave her everything she needed and more; loving, walks, fetch, car rides, all her favorite things. I never left her alone and even allowed her to sleep at the foot of my bed. However, instead of being content with her situation she began to search. I sat at my table in front of the sliding glass doors, watching her in the backyard. She was in her usual position at the fence, however this time her body language spoke loudly....