LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF A VINEYARD DOG: "The Pepe Le Pew Encounter"

Bella is itching to get her brother in trouble once again, bad timing all around.

"Sam, are you asleep?  It's dark, the house is quiet and I think everyone has gone to bed.  Someone inadvertently left the garage door open, how convenient for us."

Bella quickly ran through the vineyard and squatted to get her large body under the fence.  Sam barreled through the already loose wires with little effort and was quickly on her trail.  The night was young and the enticing aromas and sounds lured Bella and Sam further and further from home.   "Sniff, sniff, come over here Sam, I think it might be a black cat.  You know how I hate cats, they raise the hair on my back.  Quick, let's chase it; there it goes, come on you big oaf, can't you run any faster than that?  Let's corner it against the tree!  We are so close............ew! what's that awful smell.................oh, it sprayed me.......what is that smell?  Sam, Sam, where are you?  Ew, I can't take it, that's awful.  I can't see, Sam?  Sam?" 

Sam stopped in his tracks like he had seen a ghost.  The black cat appeared to have a rather large white stripe that ran from the head along the back and extended up the tail.   Just as Sam turned, the skunk let go of it's yellow stink all over his face; then again on his back.  "Bella, that aint a cat, it's a skunk!  Eweeee!  This is bad, really bad!"

The next morning when Mom opened the door to check on Bella and Sam, they were no where to be found.  Panic set in, as usual, but this time it was worse, since they could have been gone all night.  No one had called in 8 hours.  They were gone......and that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach was back once again. 

The kids had to go to school, then the search for the naughty dogs would begin. Once again, every pasture, driveway and orchard all directions was searched, only to find disappointment with no sign of Bella and Sam anywhere on Chehalem Mountain.  Hopelessness had set in and the possibility of never seeing them again brought unbearable sadness.

Finally, the phone rang and it was a very nice man from the neighboring Twelve Oaks farm on Bell road.  The two kind men had taken time out of their busy work day to rescue Bella and Sam from the dangerous traffic on Bell Road.  Mom was grateful to receive the call and turned the truck toward Twelve Oaks.  When she arrived on the scene, the foul smell of skunk permeated the air with a horrible stinch!  She opened the tailgate of the truck and Bella and Sam quickly jumped in and collapsed; breathless, cold and tired.  They were very hungry and thirsty and glad to see Mom.  

The night was over and it was time for food and sleep!  "What a great life we have", Bella told Sam.  "I can't wait to greet people in the tasting room tomorrow - isn't it Memorial Weekend?"