A Close Call

The day started out good. Ray and Murphy started playing as soon as I rolled out of bed at 6:30 a.m. They shredded a cardboard box, and wrestled, and ran, and wrestled some more. It is such a good time watching them play. There is never a growl or an angry word between them.

Y'know, we need to make sure we recycle this. 

I love a little fiber in the morning, don't you? 

So about 9 a.m. we headed out for a hike. We went to the one that parallels the Bull Run, except this time we decided to hike the trail by going in the opposite direction. One would think this wouldn't be a problem but everything sure looks different going in the opposite direction. We didn't get lost but we almost lost our dog. 

I had Ray on the retractable leash. The river was to our right. At a couple of points, there is a steep drop-off, of about eight or ten feet, down to the river. We were walking merrily along, when all of a sudden, Ray disappeared. One minute he was there, the next he wasn't. I ran to the place where he'd been. Ray was hanging on to the edge of the path by his front paws, his back paws were against the side of the embankment. 

"Jump, Ray," I said urgently. 

Ray tried to jump up but the ground beneath his back feet was loose and gave way. He was still hanging on with his front paws. I stepped to the side of the little cliff and bent over to grab him. The ground beneath my left foot collapsed. I fell to my knees and grabbed Ray under one of his armpits, still holding the leash in my other hand. Gregg came from the other side and grabbed Ray's other armpit. We hauled him back up to the path. 

"That was scary," he said. 

"Yeah," I agreed.

Let me know if there are any dangerous parts, ok?

I don't see anything. I think you're ok

Alright then, I'm coming.

I can't believe you almost lost my friend.

I'm kinda tired, I think I'll take a little naaa  zzzzzzzzzzz