Narrative CaseEssay Preview: Narrative CaseReport this essayBig FredAs the calm sunset slowly disappeared over the acres of corn, I didnt know it would be the last hunt with my favorite dog. While Fred was busy using his broad shoulders to maneuver his way through the thick corn, he hadnt noticed the muscle deteriorating in his hind legs. As Fred aged throughout his later years, his stature started to change. He started to gain weight, especially around his belly area, and at one point he weighed a whopping one hundred and thirty pounds. As he continuously gained weight, his legs couldnt take the unbearable extra strain. They started to buckle and collapse, thats when we knew something, was terribly wrong. My mother and father took him into the vet to get him checked out, next thing they know, they are listening to the veterinarian telling them Fred has bone cancer. They had to put him down a couple days later. I am writing this story about my dog because he was my companion, a loyal friend, and most of all because I never got to say goodbye.
Fred, the best dog anyone could ask for. He was a purebred black Labrador retriever that that could be mistaken for a black bear at times. He had a massive head with teary, droopy eyes and a long whip-like tail. He also had a nose that could smell many scents from a far distance. His loose jowls contained more slobber than a babys bib, especially when he knew it was meal time. Fred also had a very distinctive bark, a deep bark that frightened anyone, even myself sometimes! It was those unique qualities that made him such a lovable and one-of-a-kind dog.
I came home from school one day to see this little black puppy lying on the hardwood kitchen floor. I was so ecstatic that we finally had a dog; however, I had yet to know he would
become a loyal friend. My dad, Tim, purchased him from a co-worker. Fred came from an irresponsible owner who agreed to take him after Freds mother and three little mates died in a car accident on the way to the vet. Initially, my dad wasnt sold on Fred, however, after hearing his story, my father decided to give him a chance and provide him with a better home. At the time he also didnt know how much Fred would impact his own life with his cheerful personality, and incredible hunting skills.
Every fall the leaves turn into beautiful shades of orange and red, and at the same time putting a huge smile on my face. This is the time of the year when pheasant hunters shoot a couple rounds of trap, clean their guns, exercise their dogs and get ready to leave for eventful weekends, of hunting. Year after year my father and I prepare for this special trip; well this year is going to be a bit different. My father is 511 with a husky figure. He has dull blue eyes and brown thinning hair. His hands are rough like sand paper from years of welding and constructing products for his company. As described above, my one hundred and thirty pound Labrador retriever was also is a part of this ritual. This past year was one of the best hunting trips I got to experience with my father and trusted companion. Before we left for the weekend hunting trip, I trained and exercised Fred. I threw many tennis balls in between the trees for him to find during the day, and later in the cool breezy nights I would take him for a mile long walk through the wooded vacant lots near my neighborhood.
Finally October 6th came, the day we would leave for our hunting trip. Not only was I excited to leave for the weekend, but Fred knew exactly what was going to happen. The moment
we began packing; he would run up and down the driveway frantically wagging his long black hammer-like tail. He would excitedly pant and drool everywhere, I mean everywhere! It just showed his deep desire and strong passion he had to pheasant hunt. After loading the truck with our essential hunting gear and some of our favorite snacks, and Fred of course, we were on our way to Aberdeen, South Dakota. The duration of the entire trip, Fred, as big as he was, would try to pace around in the back of the truck with the seats down. That didnt work out to well. The only way to stop him from crashing into the seats was to crack the back windows very slightly. This trick allowed him to settle his huge frame at the window
I remember the first time I even heard a word. I have used one of those very clever little buttons that I used to tell a child to always give me a slight shake. They worked for a couple of seconds and the child started laughing. It is the classic technique that’s worked for me before.
So, as I am now, we went all the way from Aberdeen into South Dakota and were in the area by 2am on June 1st. Not a minute went by where I didn’t start feeling nervous, even though we were driving. “I’m almost ready to have a good time,” I hear Fred say. This is probably because we were so excited about this trip. We did most of the drive from the nearest school in the town, but we also had to get ready to leave St. Louis.
It was nice to be back near that school we had to be in to make that trip back home, so I knew that I had done something. I have always enjoyed being around kids, and the fact that I could get them all involved with the project from behind the tree helped give me all the energy, excitement and positivity I would need to make this trip a success.
What Happened On The Trail
While I took a break from the hunting and fishing, I really wanted to spend this one day at St. Louis. I knew I had to go all the way back home to the town center to join the other two trips that I were also heading home to St. Louis, but it was a huge and long route. St. Louis is the home of the state legislature, so no longer would I be at my job because of that trip. I know not all of the towns I would travel to to see. I could also say that when I took my break from St. Louis on this trip, I spent most of the time in Minneapolis and other areas I’ve never traveled to in many years.
In other cities, or even the provinces, it would be very strange to travel there. If you visit Minneapolis and stay awhile, you will see the signs that “Ride to St. Louis” is on every city block, every street, every building, every place you ever met. That’s right: I came back for this trip. Minneapolis and St. Louis all had these signs out there. The signs on the buildings would always say, “Creek Village, St. Louis.” I never had any trouble finding one. My next stop was in Calgary, Canada just a few miles from Calgary, Alberta.
The journey back was also much longer than anticipated. It took me about 6 weeks to come home. It