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“OKIE’S STORY” by Ardis Ramsey
As the sun begins peeking through my window I yawn & stretch and look around. Yep! It is no dream. As the sea gulls dip to the ocean around the boat I know I am one of the luckiest dogs on earth. Where else could a "senior" cattle dog wake up in her own stateroom bed on a 65 foot steel trawler converted into a 1200 sq. ft. home on the water?
My name is "Okie" and I am an 11 year old cattle dog from Falls City, Ne. & this is my story. When my family had to move & could not take me or my buddy, Snickers with them, a kind neighbor said she would foster us for the Humane Society until a home could be found. Snickers was adopted but no one seemed interested in me. I guess due to my age & not being "cute". That was ok as my foster care Mom treated me special, took me for walks & gave me lots of love. I even learned to be "nice" to her cats.
Then one day she told me that some people wanted to adopt me. I had been in foster care for 1 1/2 years and I was kind of nervous about what might lie ahead. She told me about Michelle & Bill and that they live on a big boat that is moored at Michelle’s mom’s house on Bainbridge Island, which is 6 miles off the coast of Seattle. Living on a boat?? I had no idea what a “boat” even was but water I was not to thrilled about.
The day Michelle & Bill arrived at my house I knew right away that these were some special people & right away my nervousness was gone. They were gentle people & quite impressed with me I might say!! “Senior” dog or not I have a lot to give & they as smart people recognized that.
It was a long road trip to Seattle but Michelle rode with me in the back of the SUV & talked to me & we even napped together. I was glad when we reached our destination but when I got out I thought this is not the world as Okie knows it. Michelle & Bill were patient & reassuring as I learned about everything.
There was the gang plank leading to the big boat. There was the 600 sq. ft. of outside deck which had a 3 ft. high secure railing so no danger of me slipping off into the water. So much to see & so much to learn but I was definitely up to it (as long as Bill or Michelle was with me). I trusted them & wanted to please them & perhaps impress them a bit too. We cattle dogs are very smart you know. I have been here for a while now & talk about a great life. There are several daily walks on the beach where I can run off leash & even chase squirrels. Haven’t caught any but the chase is the most fun. At first I was shy meeting other island dogs but they were friendly & welcomed me. I usually accompany Bill or Michelle where ever they go or visit Michelle’s mom. My days are very full & I am a happy dog. When I am tired from my adventures I take a nap on my window seat which was raised so that I could view gulls, ducks, & other boats.
I hear my Humans talk about a place called Alaska & that once a year they make the trek there. Hmm, should be interesting as I have never been to an “Alaska” before!
Well, this is my story up-to-date. Quite a tale for a senior cattle dog from Nebraska. Who would of guessed that fate would of made my older years perhaps the richest of my life? Thanks to all who cared & never gave up on this ole girl. “Okie”