Back in the middle of September, Murphy got a big treat: a visit from his Aunt Karen and Uncle Michael, who are the parents of his best friend, Tucker.
Karen and Michael are pet photographers and were on their way up to Indianapolis for their yearly fall shoot. I knew they were planning on making a stop here then, so of course I passed that on to Murph. By the time they pulled in he was waiting anxiously at the door.
But Karen emailed me this past Tuesday morning and said they were heading back to Jax that day and would be coming through Nashville again. At first she asked if we could meet for dinner, but then they ended up not leaving as early as they hoped.
I’ve always had an open-offer policy for a place to crash for any of our friends if they find themselves in our neck of the woods, no matter the day or time. This of course applied to the Josephs, who called and asked if they could take me up on that and spend the night here again.
Well, that was a surprise to me, and when I got off the phone I asked Murph, “Do you want to have a sleepover with your buddy Tucker again?”
Murph looked at me with distrust. Could it really be true? Was his buddy really coming back again? The Josephs usually try to stop on their way up to Indy, but it’s not always feasible on their way back. (Sometimes they take a different route, or sometimes they decide to drive straight through. Understandable. They’ve usually been away from home over a month by then and are anxious to get back.) Murph seems to understand this.
But now I was telling him he’d get to see his bestest buddy for the second time in just over a month? GREAT! He was all for it!
They may not be the spring pups they once were, but they still get the biggest kick out of seeing each other. Tucker knows exactly where Murph keeps his toys. After making an inspection of the house with obligatory hellos to the cats (much to Tabby’s chagrin –we found out Tucker’s her tormentor and perhaps the one dog who can keep her cowering under a table or on top of the refrigerator for hours), he goes right for the toy box.
Then the real madness begins. The squeaking, the antagonizing to chase each other around the house, the tug of war battles, the occasional wrestling match. It’s chaos, but it’s clear they’re so happy, which makes us happy.
They have to take breaks more frequently these days, which they decide on for themselves. Once upon a time they could play for hours unless we intervened and forced them to cool down for a bit. But once they’ve caught their breath…watch out! The great stampede resumes in earnest.
Murphy and Tucker taking a little rest.
It’s a lot of fun for them and a lot of fun for us to watch. Karen and I miss the daily walks we used to enjoy when we lived only a few houses down, and I know Tuck and Murph miss seeing each other too.
That’s what makes these sleepovers –surprised or planned— priceless. It’s the rare and lucky human to know the joys and blessings of a lifelong friendship. Which makes it all the more endearing that Tucker is Murph’s lifelong best friend, something they confirm again and again in the way they ignore their lack of youth and age-related pains to romp like the puppies they once were –even if it’s only for a little while.