POST SEVEN: SHOWDOWN AT PLUM ISLAND

I Like Birds

Of all the beaches along all the coastlines in all the world.

Of all the puppies off a leash for the first time in all the world.

Of all the sea gulls in all the world.

That’s the picture to put in your mind.

The beach was clear for at least a half mile in each direction. Not a single footprint lay there except those of my pup Cody and Me. It’s the end of the summer season and the first day dogs are officially allowed on the Plum Island Beach. The sun was coming to life at 6:00 AM and a gentle breeze blew straight out of the north. This was the inaugural occasion where Cody would be given the freedom to roam unleashed out in the world. I was thinking that, so far, this might be one of the best days of my life. Me, the beach, and a brand-new 6-month-old puppy, yes. Seriously, what could be better?

Cody the gull and I saw each other at the same time. Somehow, to my amazement, I could read the gull’s mind. He was thinking “Stupid dog thinks he can outrun me. Ha.” The puppy was thinking “Squirrel.” I was thinking “La, la, la the Gull will fly, and Cody will learn that he can’t catch birds, case closed, over and out, another beautiful lesson learned.” What came next happened in some kind of time warp. I know what you’re thinking … that I could have easily intervened, BUT NO.

I screamed, “Cody no” with my most serious demanding voice. The puppy ran, the seagull ran, and I ran, pretty much, all at the same time. For sure the gull was going to fly, BUT AGAIN NO. The seagull and the pup left me in the dust even though I was moving at top speed for someone in his seventies who hasn’t run full out in years. The gull took a hard right turn and headed for the shoreline and a fifty-yard stretch of rivulets left over from the out-going tide. He stopped short and Cody shot past. The pup dug into the sand and made a beautiful spin around move like you would only see in a Disney movie. They both took off running again. We all splashed thru the salt water, with me picking up the rear and splattering my way along. Then the worst happened, the pup tackled the gull. OH NO! They tumbled head over heels, the seagull rolled left, and Cody rolled right. They jumped up, shook off the wet sand and for a good two seconds had an old-fashioned stand-off before the gull begrudgingly flew off squawking his head off and disappeared into the distance. When I finally caught up, Cody was just standing there smiling, his eyes high in the sky following the gorgeous bird. I was seriously hyperventilating and so glad that I wasn’t about to have some sort of heart event.

I reattached his leash and as we made our way off the picturesque beach, I replayed the showdown between the two of them over and over in my mind. I looked down at Cody, he was still smiling and unfazed by any of it. I could almost read his mind, I’m sure he was thinking “I like birds.”

As we reached the car, I couldn't help but feel thankful for the fact that the gull was miles away by now. And for the reminder that no matter our circumstance, there is always room for an unscheduled adventure. As I started the car and headed home, I found myself thinking, "I guess I can still run after all.”