I knew I should have checked my spelling…it is Kalahari, not Kalihari… I will correct it!
Lucas gave me a scare this morning. He didn’t meet me at the back door, he didn’t come when called, he wasn’t in sight. I took Dally’s breakfast to the kennel and locked her in and began my search. Not here, not there, not anywhere. I called. I whistled. I tried to think if he was really that bad when I turned him out last night. I started to imagine. Vernon was repenning an escaped pair when he saw me approach. “I can’t find Lucas.” was all I said. My voice didn’t crack, the tears didn’t come, I practiced deep breathing. Vernon stopped his work immediately and helped. He looked where I had looked. He called. My heart tightened and my lungs wouldn’t take in enough air. My throat felt swollen. He went by the kennel where I had fed Dally. He leaned way down and looked deep into the straw shelter in there, and there lay Lucas. Obviously not feeling well. The tears came, my voice cracked when I told Vernon, “Thank you.” and I softly told Lucas how he is supposed to answer me when I’m looking for him. He had been 2 feet away from me, and never moved or thumped a tail or peeked. He wanted to stay there that was obvious, but movement is a great help in this situation and I made him go with me. He chased the heifers. He kept the cows away from the trailer. And best of all, he pooped. Whoo. Amazing how that made me feel so much better…and Lucas too! He now is resting, but the worst is over. I can stop tearing up anytime now. Any moment I won’t react like this. Yeah. Anytime now. Breathe. And just because, here’s another picture of the King of the Kalahari. sigh