Ever since I was a little girl all I could remember about my Grandfather(Papa) was his sitting beside the fireplace in his rocking chair. And there on the floor beside him was his old dog Fido. Both he and the dog were always there. In the time I was visiting, I never saw either move. My mother always said her father and Fido worked "My father was a hard worker," Mother always said. "And Fido worked just as hard. He was always by his side. The dog did no actual work, but he kept my father company as he himself worked his 100 and some odd acres of land."
Piece by piece Papa began selling off his land. He eventually lived off any saved money and social security. He and Fido, as well as Grandmother (Mama), seemed to survive well enough in their senior years. Although they had gone through a depression and such, they did seem to survive better than people today. Things just didn't cost as much. When people refer to the good old days, I think they really were the good old days.
Fido was very loyal to his master. He deserved the nice cozy spot also by the fireplace. He had in the previous years proven himself as man's best friend. Up at the break of day, off Papa and he prepared to go to the fields after both ate an early breakfast. The breakfast Mama had prepared as her day began early also. Even Fido had his table scraps. I don't much think dog food was ever on his menu. Fido was, after all, a member of the family. Out the door now to the fields Papa went with Fido tagging behind.
Farming back in earlier days may have seemed like a hard life. But living in the city now, I would love to go back to the farm life. It was a freedom to wander through the fields. I would not mind having my loyal old dog Fido by my side. You hope for a better life when growing up. I couldn't wait to get off the farm. Now, I realize that life wasn't so bad after all. It would be nice to yell my own words, "Here Fido! Come here Fido!"
