Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: DOG (08/09/18)
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TITLE: Scamp | Previous Challenge Entry
By Rachel Jamerson
08/15/18 -
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The farm was located in a valley between two mountains and they decided to look for a dog. It would be a nice pet for the boys and perhaps serve as something of a guard dog as well.
He was just a cute little puppy when he came to live with them but then all puppies are cute. However, Scamp would prove to be much more than a pet or even a guard dog. His breed was Australian Sheep Dog. Eve had never been around this breed and didn’t think much about the fact until that hot July afternoon several years later.
“Hey mom,” Ellie yelled down the steps. “The boys are going outside for a while; could you keep an eye on them?”
“Sure,” replied Eve, “tell them to come around back. I’m on the porch.”
Ben and Seth were twins who had just turned four. They loved Scamp and he loved to play with them. He was a very reliable Nanny. When the boys wandered out of the yard, he would herd them back like a couple of little sheep.
Eve had been watching the three play for about half an hour when the phone rang. Ellie left earlier to pick up the boys sister from the school bus so Eve went inside to answer. She was gone only a few minutes but when she returned the boys and Scamp were nowhere in sight.
“Ben, Seth,” she yelled. “Where are you?”
“Scamp, Scamp, Come here!” her cries were met with silence. Frantic, Eve ran up the path behind the house which led to the garden. She kept calling to the boys and Scamp but no answer. The garden was deserted. I don’t understand, she thought. Surely Scamp can hear me. They haven’t been gone that long!
Ellie pulled into the driveway and let Beth out. She was about to enter the house when Eve appeared around the corner.
“Ellie, I can’t find the boys!” cried Eve struggling to breathe.
“What do you mean?” responded Ellie.
“I wasn’t gone but a few minutes – I can’t find Scamp either!” Eve collapsed on the porch with tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry!”
Ellie pitched her purse on the steps and took off around the house. She had almost reached the stream when she heard something down by the smokehouse. She couldn’t make it out but immediately changed direction. She stopped a few feet from the smokehouse and listened.
“Shhhh,” the sound was coming from behind the building. Ellie breathed a sigh of relief. It was the boys.
“Boys, what do you think you are doing?” she yelled. “You scared Granny half to death!” She grabbed the boys and hugged them. “Where is Scamp?”
The boys giggled. “Don’t know, Scamp, Scamp,” they called.
“Scamp, Scamp, where are you?” called Ellie.
“Ellie,” it was Eve, she was running up the path to the smokehouse. “Ellie, you found the boys!”
“Yes, and they are fine but I haven’t found Scamp.” She replied. “I don’t understand. Scamp would never leave the boys alone.”
Eve was trying to catch her breath. “I’m so glad the boys are okay!” She hugged them tightly and then turned to Ellie. “I found Scamp,” she whispered. “He’s down by the stream.”
“Is something wrong with him?” she asked.
“You will have to go see,” replied Eve. “I will take the boys inside.”
Ellie found Scamp lying still near a pile of brush he wasn’t moving. At first, she didn’t see anything amiss but on closer examination, she saw it. Lying next to Scamp was a dead diamondback rattlesnake. Scamp would not recover from the snake’s bite; he had given his life to protect the boys.
Ellie whispered a prayer. “Thank You Father for shielding the boys from harm.”
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Proverbs 1:33 (KJV)
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