Friday, January 22, 2010

Photo-Finish Friday --Scamp and Pal

This has always been one of my favourite pictures. The dogs, Scamp (foreground) and Pal (background) posed for it. They'd been that way for a while when mom saw them and thought it would make a nice picture. She was right.
It's October, probably 1966. The air was crisp, the day was overcast, the Ford Fairlane 500 was parked neatly in front of the house, and the dogs were still full of energy.
They were friends. They ran circles together around the school bus and any other vehicle that moved, swam in the creek, sang with the coyotes, and occasionally play fought until they were tired. When that time came one would lie back and expose his throat while the other pretended to rip it out.
While Pal was long-suffering and consented to be mauled by children, ridden, used as a pillow, and even hitched to a sled once, Scamp was the watcher. He was given more to chasing and we even saw him point at the cluster of rose bushes near the old house once.
I don't think Scamp ever got his due. He was a good dog, and a good friend.
They've been gone a long time. It'll be 40 years in the fall right about the same time of year as that photo was taken. Scamp first, then Pal moped around for three weeks before joining him.
No matter how many pets have come after them, they were the first and they'll always be the best.

21 comments:

carla said...

which all led me back to singing the song about a picture painting a thousand words.

I ADORE that they were named SCAMP and PAL as well.

Im a curmudgeon I guess and laugh at the newfangled fancypants names of dogs these days.

(yes. I really said that...)

Leah J. Utas said...

Thank you so much, Carla.
I have no idea how we got Scamp or who named him.

Nancy said...

What a sweet story. Funny how our furry little friends are never forgotten.

the Bag Lady said...

Pal was there for quite awhile before Scamp, wasn't he? I remember him the best.

Mother had a story about Pal and how I used to "ride" him when he was lying in the yard like that (I was around 1 1/2 yrs old). The older kids came running across the yard, Pal leaped to his feet to run with them and I sailed across the yard, landing on my head! Poor Mom watched the whole episode from the kitchen window, too far away to do anything! No harm done, though.Didn't even make me cry.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Nancy. I think of them often.

dfBag Lady, OMG that's funny. Glad you weren't hurt.
I don't know about Scamp, where he was from, how we got him. Maybe one of your brothers knows his story? If you ever find out, please let me know. It only occurred to me lately that I don't know his origins. Like Pal, he was always there.

the Bag Lady said...

Yup, I'm the only person I know who was bucked off a dog.
Sigh.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

What a great photo and fun memories! We don't forget our furry friends, but what a shame they don't stay with us longer.

messymimi said...

I agree that the first pets are the best.

My dad had a dog that he loved like no other my parents have had since. He married my mom because she was the only girlfriend his dog liked.

They have been together 48 years this June. The dog knew.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Bunnygirl. You're right. There's never enough time.

Messymimi, dogs are excellent judges of character.

Redbush said...

Pets will always have a special place in my heart. I also had a Scamp. He was full of energy as well, and did the snooping-digging routine daily. He once snooped down the wrong hole and almost had his nose snapped of by a muskrat. In the next instance he dove in and that was the end of the muskrat, so, he proudly brought him back to the campsite to show everyone and to allow no other living thing close to his prize for fear they may take it!

Leah J. Utas said...

Your Scamp sounds like he was quite a dog, Redbush. I can understand why he would protect his prize. I'd be the same way.

Hilary said...

They sound like a wonderful canine pair. Too bad their time with us is so short. Thanks for the photo and story about Scamp and Pal

Reb said...

Gee, the blog thing that supposed to tell me you have a new post isn't working - so here I am late again. I remember both of them, but like Sis, I remember Pal much more.

Clare2e said...

I love the picture. Did those good boys ever get to ride in the Fairlane, tongues out, racing the wind?

Crabby McSlacker said...

Aw, they sound like wonderful dogs. I still remember our first dog; she was the sweetest thing.

Thanks for reminding me of how lucky we are to have animals in our lives!

Thomma Lyn said...

Awww. What a sweet and poignant post. Scamp and Pal sound wonderful, and Scamp looks so happy with his big doggy grin on his face.

Yes, I love to think about the four-footed friends I've had in my life, too. They will always have a cherished place in my heart.

Frank Baron said...

Nice, nostalgiac tale, Leah. Critters can sure play important roles in our lives. (I can't even think of the Rainbow Bridge without misting up.)

Hoarse Whisperer said...

Sweet. The dogs look like they were waiting for a ferry to show up. Everytime I visit my folks, I am reminded of our Shetland Sheepdog who kept us on our toes. My Mom never got another pet after Tesse.

David Cranmer said...

You damn near brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful post. Stark, beautiful picture.

Missicat said...

Awww...they sound like they were great pets. I miss the kitties of my childhood too.

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