the bread dip & the beagle

Once upon a time there was a pooch named Barney.  Barney was Suzanne's family's dog, a beagle.  Barney was SO sweet and cute and stubborn and funny.  Suzanne was often late to high school (so much so that she got a warning note about not passing English, our 1st period class, if she missed any more classes or was late to them!) because Barney would follow her to school.  He would sit outside the side doors at school - so comical!  She would have to turn around and take him back home.

Barney also got lost from time to time. I can still see the "lost dog" ad in the paper for him. Michelle (Nichols) had it taped up on the back of the door in her bedroom....wow, hadn't thought of that in ages! 

If you laid on the floor at Suzanne's, Barney was right with you. Maybe on top of you. He was not shy.  Wonder where he got that from? 

One of my favorite Barney memories involves a sad occasion - the death of Suzanne's grandfather.  I believe we were in college.  I offered to bring something to the house for the family, and I made a spinach dip in the big bread bowl. It was put on a tray and placed outside on the screened in porch.  But then, it was missing.  Where could it have gone?  Mrs. Ely couldn't believe it was gone - we looked all over.  (I know you know where this is going!)

Barney.  He was so large he could barely walk - he waddled.  The dip, bread and all, was in his belly!  Mrs. Ely was horrified.  Suzanne and I could not stop laughing.  Mrs. Ely was upset that he had eaten something I made for them, and I was worried Barney was going to get sick from it.   Barney was fine, thankfully.  Mystery solved. The bonus? It's given us laughs for many years.  Though I really hadn't thought about it in some time - it made me laugh right out loud.  Poor Barney - he was, quite literally, stuffed for days! 

Barney is no longer with us, but I still smile when I think of him - not just for his love, loyalty, and sweetness.  But also for that one afternoon, when he gave us the best of gifts on a sad, somber day - laughter.  Thanks, buddy.