Tropical Storm Fay, August 2008.

The breeze was more than a breeze and Mobile Bay was churning brown.  The sky had darkened and the rain bands were beginning to top the trees along the shoreline.  Two of my Fairhope friends, Benjamin the Tibetan Terrier (almost) and Lucas the Designer Dog, had made their ways, along the treacherous wharf walk, to the crab deck some 185’ off shore.  They stood on the Mobile Bay wharf adjacent the Eastern Shore, Baldwin County, Lower Alabama (LA).  Conditions were deteriorating.  The wind was freshening.  As the quiet roar began to escalate, the dogs were forced to shout at each other to be heard.  Lucas was depressed by the circulating storm.

Benji:  ‘Think it’ll rain, Lukey?’

Luke: ‘I’ll close my eyes, but only for a moment, so that I can better see.’

Benji:  ‘The moment’s gone, Luke.  Do you think it’ll rain?’

Lucas wanted to play ball but the tropical storm was now dictating the terms of recreation.  The dogs were merely pawns in Fay’s game.  Lucas was having trouble holding it together.  He was beginning to break down.  He felt threatened.

Luke:  ‘All my dreams just passed before my eyes.’

Benji:  ‘A curiosity.  It’s the same old song with you, Luke, you and your wishful dreams.  You’re just one of many pups, like a drop of water in an endless sea.’

Luke:  ‘I know, Benji.  I know.  All we do crumbles to the ground though we refuse to see.  Don’t hang on.  Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky.’

Lucas inched closer to the south side of the wharf.  The wind pressed hard against his nose.  He, and Benji, began to resemble weather vanes; pointing hard into the wind.  Then Lucas turned slightly and presented his broad side to the gale force.

Benji:  ‘Luke!  No!!

Lucas slipped over the side of the deck, hind legs first.  He feebly tried to hang on by his front paws and chin.  In a desperate but failing attempt to grab Luke’s cold black nose, Benji rushed forward, but too late!  Lucas opened his mouth in a silent scream.

Benji (from atop the deck):  ‘It slips away, Lucas, and all your money won’t another minute buy.’

As Benji watched his friend Luke disappear from sight, he heard Luke’s last words as he landed in the churning Bay, backside first.

Luke (falling):  ‘Dogs in the wind, Benjamin.  All we are are dogs in the wind.’

Splash!!!

The Wisdom of Willie Bean