The Preacher's Dog

    

               Atop of the hill right beside the small country church sat a small house. This was the house provided for the Preacher and his family. It was considered part of the Preacher's income. Being a small country church of no more than twenty-five families, the amount paid the Preacher was very small. In fact, to provide for his family, the Preacher held a full time job during the week at a near-by lumber yard about twelve miles away. But the love of preaching kept him preaching during the week at the church. After taking the job, the Preacher had gained a love for the church and its parishioners. He couldn't see himself leaving for more money.

               Every Sunday the Preacher began his sermon. Inside the church sat family and friends of whom all the parishioners had become. In the back of the vestibule of the church sat another friend and family member. It was a dog that was there every Sunday listening to the sermon. He had come down the hill with the family and stayed there until church dismissed. Everyone knew him as the Preacher's dog. His name was Duke. And when asked of how the dog got his name, the Preacher replied,

               "I named him after someone famous." And that was it! Duke was allowed to stay. He sat there listening to what appeared to be every word the Preacher said. The story was that during the week in preparing the Sunday sermon, the Preacher practiced his sermon. Who best to practice on than the dog he loved so. And now as the sermon was being delivered, it was joked by all that Duke came to see if it was done right. Once service was ended, the Preacher walked to the back of the church to greet everyone as they were leaving. Rising from his laying position, Duke stood beside the Preacher. He was not without receiving an occasional pat on the head by those in attendance.

               Once the last member of the church left, the Preacher and his family left the church and walked back to their house atop the hill. Running along beside them was Duke. Upon the porch, Duke found his bed and lay down to nap. But for Duke his work was not done. If any parishioners came, Duke would jump up to greet them with a wag of the tail and a bark to let his master know someone was outside.

               When Duke passed away, a small burial site was provided beside the small church. Duke was laid to rest and is still there today. The Preacher and his family have since moved. It has been some forty to fifty years now. With the upkeep of the landscape, the grave site of Duke is maintained as well.

               And so, the story of Duke still lives on. He's still there listening to that Sunday sermon.

How Much?

           Early days in elementary school, the singing was heard.  Children not yet having learned to carry a tune seemed to have no problem singing these words in tune.

            “How much is that doggie in the window?”

            “The one with the waggly tail.  Arf!  Arf!”

            And so the song goes.  But as far as beyond those two familiar sentences, the song never seemed to go any further.  This song was recorded December 18, 1953.  On April 4, 1953 the song went to number one in U.S. Billboard magazine.  It was sung by Patti Page.

            I don’t believe there was anyone in the early fifties who did not know of this song.  They may never have known all the words, but they knew of it.  If you did not hear it yourself on the radio, you heard someone signing it.  If someone sings a certain song, it almost always has the other person singing that song as well.  It is kind of a catchy tune that you can’t get out of your mind once it is planted there.  I was one of those children back then and I sure sang it enough myself.  And today, I can be standing at a window inside a pet store looking at puppies inside a window and burst into that song.  The arf I make I am hoping will encourage them to arf back.  It is our way of communicating.

            In later years, numerous dogs songs have been written.  Those from “You’re nothing but a Hound Dog” to “Who let the Dogs out?” And the list is a long one.  But still my favorite is that first one I heard back in the fifties.  Arf!  Arf!

            Perhaps as a dog lover, you too have a favorite dog song.  Perhaps you even sing to your dog.  There would be nothing strange about that.  Holding a puppy in your arms and hugging a grown dog can bring about emotional feelings and expressions of love.  It would not be unusual to begin singing.  Dog lovers are not without talking to their pet already anyway.

            I have owned numerous dogs.  I have been around numerous dogs.  I have been known to talk to them.  And yes, even sing to them.  I have yet to write that number one song about a dog.  But it doesn’t keep me from dreaming.