Never Under Estimate Small Packages
Never Under Estimate Small Packages
Amber hates this picture. She says the dogs look silly because their tongues are hanging out. I kinda like them that way. When I think of “The Boys” this is the picture that pops into my head.
This was the last time we went to play ball. It was almost 4 years ago as of this post’s writing.
I’d get my keys on Saturday morning and they KNEW we were going to the park. The park I took them to in Evans GA wasn’t actually a park at all. It’s the open field behind Kroger.
We’d throw the ball for what seemed like forever. Chase would do what he’d done for years before… run down the ball as fast as he could. That dog was like lightning. Butler would do what he’s always done. Run after Chase and play defense like an NFL Safety barking at Chase for his entire return.
Chase would chomp, chomp, chomp on the ball then drop the slobber ridden mass on the ground. That was his way of asking me to
“Do it again, daddy”.
Chase had explosive speed. I guess that’s why I think of him as a “Small Package” like dynamite. At times it seemed as if his legs were fully extended front and back and his hatchet-shaped chest was only an inch or so off the ground. Fully stretched into a sprint with pin-point eyesight that could follow a green racket ball’s every move in the flowing grasses of and Augusta Summer.
Chase was the runt of the litter and no one’s first pick. That’s why he was MY first pick. (I have a soft spot for underdogs). When I got him, he had to walk AROUND pine cones in my yard because he was to small to step over them. Rat Terriers are pretty common now, but people still ask me, “Now what kind of Jack Russel is he?” Kinda like saying “What kinda Coke is it?”.
Born January 30, 1993, Chase was a scrawny, lean, and a little strange looking. You don’t need to do math to know he’s old. This picture is my last memory of “The Boys” doing their little game of you get it and I’ll bark at you (that’s what Butler calls it anyway). Chase would fetch a beer from the cooler, bring me my hat, and he even climbed a 22ft extension ladder to join me on my mother’s roof once. (no kidding… and no I didn’t ask him to. He just did it to be with me)
The lesson I’ve learned from Chase and Butler in all of these years is to never under estimate small packages. I’ve been blown away by how much these little critters know. The are very smart and very adaptive.
In recent years, Chase’s health is declining. He’s not in any pain or at least he doesn’t show it. However, he doesn’t run… at all. He has forgotten (or so it seems) his house training. He can’t see because of his cataracts so there’s no pin-pointing green racket balls in the Augusta Summer any more. He’s not the dog he used to be, but he surprises me everyday with his love and ability to stick around.
Thank you, Chase and Butler for teaching me that just because someone is small doesn’t mean they are only capable of small things. You both have changed the lives of every human you’ve met. Here’s to you “Little Man” and “Booshé”.
« previous post
Evan – Happy Baby at Bre...
Little buddy is usually pretty happy when he wakes up. This morning was no different...
next post »
Room With a View
Red Rock Resort After a Grueling trip from ATL to LAS (more to come...) We are safel...
Leave a Reply
No trackbacks yet.
No post with similar tags yet.
Posts in similar categories
- Yoga Balance
Balance, as you know, is very important to me. Kind of an obsession really. The balance between work and play, family time and me time, and salty and sweet. They are all important to me.
So what does yoga have to do with any of that? Those of you that... - Cats and Dogs
Your day started just like everyone else's day. Just like mine... We woke up. That is probably the last thing any of our days have in common. After that we all head in different directions guided by different thoughts, influences, and of course deadlines.
Taking a moment to think about all that... - Restored Faith
Today my faith in the youth of America was restored a little...
As I was walking Gabby into school at Cedar Ridge Elementary in Grovetown, we passed the flag pole and two young kids holding flags. I listened keenly to them with one ear as an eves-dropper while I tuned into Gabby's question with... - Be Still
You probably have other things to do right now. You probably came here while goofing off on Facebook or catching up on the McKinneys.
But... Recently after listening to the prayer requests on the podcast DailyAudioBible.com I heard someone mention having so much going on that they were overwhelmed.
I too know a little... - Never Eat Alone Review
Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi Keith Ferrazzi, the author of Never Eat Alone believes that relationships and networks are like muscles. The more you work them the stronger and healthier they become. Never Eat Alone is perfect for anyone that owns a business and realizes how important a good network is, but aren't...
- How Leaders Inspire People to Act – Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek is a brilliant speaker and this particular talk shows it. This TED Talk cuts leadership to the core. It seems a little long, but it's totally worth the time spent watching it. Look back in your life and think about a time that you did well at something. You will undoubtedly see...
- Bloom Where You’re Planted
Bloom Where You're Planted
I heard a lady say this on the prayer section of the DailyAudioBible.com podcast a while back. This little saying was no doubt meant for me to hear. It may have been meant for a lot of people to hear, but I'm glad I did.
Always looking to the horizon for... - J.J. Abrams Mystery Box
Lost is one of my all-time television shows. The mystery that surrounds the show in every episode has to come from somewhere right? J.J. Abrams is the creator of Lost and he reveals a little more of that mystery in this TED talk. If you are not familiar with TED Talks, you should be. One of...
Recent Comment
-
Amber McKinney:
Said on 2012/05/22
we are so blessed with our 2 wonderful children...you make me cry with your wo...
-
April Maas:
Said on 2012/05/20
Kooper loves his Tio oh yes he does!! Thanks for watching me today Tio!
-
Said on 2012/05/15
My nephew is out of control!
-
Said on 2012/05/14
Omg thanks a lot Ryan for making me cry! Punkie Brewster your Auntie and Uncle...
-
Ryan McKinney:
Said on 2012/05/08
Forgot to mention Bible Study is tonight. Andria Corral officiating!
Revolution 365
- Their Time Has ComeTheir Time Has Come Your moment has arrived. You stand, move to walk, your palms are damp, your spirit is strong in you, and you KNOW that this is it. You are about to do the most important thing you think you will ever do. Queue the music, roll sound, lights, camera, action! Being from … Continue reading » […]
Man I remember many a night sittin on the back deck in Lake Park throwin the ball around. I dont believe that Lincoln ever beat Chase to a ball and after about 8-10 throws he was done and givin up. Chase is one of a kind!!! He always kept us at bay whenever u were sleepin so we couldnt wake u up The favorite memory of Butler Boosh’e is when he ate that loaf of raw dough and burped wheat bread for a week. Damn the last 10 yrs have flown by!