August: The Dog Days

dog

As we slip into August, I am reminded of one of my favorite books from middle school, Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt. I have always thought that the following passage in the book describes the dog days of summer, particularly in Alabama, like no other: “The first week of August hangs at the very top of the summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color. Often at night there is lightning, but it quivers all alone. There is no thunder, no relieving rain. These are strange and breathless days, the dog days…” I remember that feeling when August rolled around, so much that I still get a twinge of anxiety knowing that summer fun will soon be drawing to a close and the days of bathing suits, road trips, popsicles, and fire flies will be replaced with early mornings, back packs, schedules, shoes, and homework.

 

I have always known that we lived a pretty charmed life growing up on a farm surrounded by family for miles and miles. In the summer, I loved running out the door in the early hours to jump in Pappy’s truck to feed cows. Unk would be driving, Pappy riding shotgun, and Bear, Pappy’s Australian Shepard, accompanied me in the bed of the old blue pickup. I would be flying towards the pasture, still in my night gown and bare feet, with Mama hollering behind me to come back in and put on some clothes and me hoping I could catch the truck before she caught me. Something that I still appreciate to this day is all the animals we were able to enjoy and still do on the farm, particularly our menagerie of dogs. We all have them. Everyone with the Griswold name owns dogs. I use the word “owns” a bit loosely as neither Granny nor Mama own one but they graciously keep our 3 so often that I feel they can claim ownership. Everywhere you go around the Griswold Farm, you are greeted by a pack of loving dogs. At Unk and Auntie’s house, there are the mighty 11 ranging from ditch dogs to beautiful Labs and a couple in between. Sissy and Justin have at least 4 Labs and 2 Jack Russell’s. Hootie’s family owns 7 Boykin Spaniels. Aunt Bobby and Uncle T have 4 Shepherds, 1 multicultural fur child, and a Yorkie. Peggy and Jeff will be fur parents again soon but that’s for a future newsletter. I could go on and on, but the point is we love our dogs from tip to tail! Ah! I am leaving out the legends in the Griswold Family- Charlie Brown Griswold I & II. Charlie Brown, the original, belonged to Hootie and Aunt Bobbie’s parents- Nanny and Grampy. He was a Beagle mix with as many lives as a cat. One time, Unk hit him with a flatbed trailer. He reluctantly called Grampy to tell him the bad news only to hear, “Charlie Brown just came up the driveway is sitting right next to me on the porch.” He was run over several times and survived snake bites before old age claimed him. Charlie Brown Griswold II was found in the driveway as a beat up puppy full of love and looking for a place to call home. After many meals at Nanny’s where she provided the venue and Uncle Flem provided the vittles, he came to be live with Uncle Flem’s. They were the best of companions until we lost Uncle Flem in 2012. Charlie lived for rides in the car with him to visit with the various family members where treats of all kinds awaited him. Today, Charlie lives with Peggy’s brother, Vic, but the loving family members and dog treats remain the same. Upon his arrival, the warm greeting he receives, “CHARLIE!” reminds me of when Norm would walk in to Cheers on the 80’s sitcom.

 
This month we honor all the 4-legged children in our lives by offering 30% OFF our Organic Sprouted Dog Treats! The come in BBQ, Cinnamon and Oats, Peanut Butter, and Sweet Potato and they are all Charlie Brown Griswold II approved. Place your order by going to http://healthyflour.com/product/organic-sprouted-dog-treats/ today. Code: dogtreat30

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allison


30% OFF Sprouted Dog Treats

spoiled rotten pets

 

I hope you take advantage of our Dog Days Sale!

To help celebrate our 4-legged family members, To Your Health Sprouted Flour Co. will be offering 30% OFF Sprouted Dog Treats.

CODE: dogtreat30

Shop Now

 

 


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