Gail and I have been to this region before when we rafted down the Nantahala River. Robbinsville, N.C. is the nearest town. The campsite we chose was the most private in the camp. It was a pleasant Monday night listening to the crickets as I drifted off to sleep. Coffee over an open fire. Bacon was cooking....In walks this dog. We had lost a 12 year pal in 2012. Sunshine was a Yellow Lab who was our partner and family. She could have lived for another year maybe, but the pain would have restricted her life. We could not let her live in pain seeing her life restricted. In May of 2012 she was put down.
I've just now realized it was May in North Carolina. Back to the dog. I scooted him on out of camp. I was not going to feed him because we had decided to not have any more dogs. Before Sunshine we'd lost a small dog named Sunny, and had a Black Lab hit by a car. No More Dogs....Why we could pack up and go without having to think about.......well...you know. Sunshine was a great partner. Miss Independent. She was loving but not a cuddling dog.
The Mountains of North Carolina were beautiful. That Tuesday and Wednesday we road enjoying all the scenery. Wednesday afternoon....dog back in camp. Thursday was to be our day to roam some of the Cherokee areas. Cheoah Pt. North Carolina. This time he slid up to us turning on his back with his legs in the air. How do you kick him out of camp? We had a rope I could use as a lead. Walking over to the Host camp we noticed he liked to sniff for scents more so than our Labs. The Camp Host told us he had been left in camp for about four weeks. She indicated a Camp caretaker was talking about taking him home. On Thursday we found a rescue center for animals. Even though we knew he had care something just did not feel right. As we fixed breakfast Gail asked about checking on the dog. At the center we found he had been taken to a home till he could be checked by their Veterinarian . It was a drive out into the mountains to where he was being housed. The lady caring for the dog let us know the Vet would not see him for 8 days. This was just not right. Here he'd been wandering in the mountains for four weeks. On Saturday we loaded up for our trip back to North Georgia. In the midst of our sleeping bags He buried himself into the sleeping bags as one looking for a cave.
On Saturday this new friend was introduced to our grand son's 3 year old boxer. Oh, boy...what a introduction. Bentley had been the queen for 3 years. What to name this new addition. Cheoah ....well that was the name of the Camp Ground. Had to get your tongue around that when you call out to Cheoah..... Nah....just not a fit. Some one said Camp.....well hey that is where he was found. So now we have a Camp...our own Camper Dog. This Dog as best we can tell is a mix between a German Pointer and Bird Dog. He is definitely a Hunter. A cuddlier when around you, but definitely a hunter. Squirrels...oh, my...
How often have we had unplanned events, people, or animals come into our lives that changed our perspective? Camp has touched us deeply. There is so much difference between him and our Lab. He is a rescue dog....the question is did we rescue him or did he rescue us? I'm thinking he rescued us.
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