The Little Lake

Jerry and Berry were two very close friends, as close as two bloodhounds could be. Jerry loved Berry's bark and ability to sniff out the smallest morsels of food. Berry loved Jerry's way of finding the best shelter in a storm and how Berry always knew when to stop eating before they would get sick. Berry and Jerry went everywhere together, always leaning up against each other. When Jerry stopped, Berry would veer sharply to the right, having been held up by Jerry for so long. The two would come back together and Berry would then lean to the left into Jerry. One of them would stop and the other would veer. They would switch sides and continue this way until neither had a side they were more comfortable with than another. When they walked for long periods of time without veering, they sometimes no longer felt like two separate beings. This was nice. It was worth all the veering back and forth and having to switch sides to feel that comfortable.

One day, after stopping to rest for several hours. Berry jumped up and asked Jerry, "Where do you want to go next?" Jerry shot up with excitement to start the new journey, "I want to go to the river!" Berry barked with excitement and spun in a circle, ready for adventure. Jerry sat back down, "it's a little cold right now though, in a few weeks the river will be the perfect temperature." Jerry remained seated with resolve to stay put. Berry ran off a few steps and stopped, waiting for Jerry to join. Jerry didn't move. Berry ran in a large circle, tongue hanging out, taking in the sun. Berry came back to where Jerry was sitting, panting and grinning; Jerry was still sitting, looking off into the distance. Berry walked over and sat next to Jerry, the two hounds leaned into each other.

They slept a little, they rolled around in the sun, and they talked about all the places they wanted to go. Berry wanted to go to the big lake where all the other dogs were. "The big lake, to play with all of the other dogs?" asked Berry. Jerry considered then gave a head shake, "let's go to the little lake. You always get too excited and drink too much water and get sick. The little lake will be better for us." Berry knew that Jerry sometimes knew better, so Berry started walking towards the little lake. Jerry started walking that direction as well. They touched shoulders and leaned into each other, falling into pace with their familiar walk, both forgetting themselves in what came so naturally. Berry had the urge to go faster, but would feel Jerry start to fall when doing so. Berry kept pace and stayed with Jerry. After an hour, Jerry sat down. Noticing the sun going down Jerry said, "We can go in the morning. The little lake will be very nice in the morning." Berry lay down to sleep and Jerry stared off in the direction of the big lake.

Berry woke just as the sun was inching over the horizon and saw that Jerry was still sitting up, looking off into the distance. Jerry looked down at Berry, "you go on to the little lake. I need to stay here." Berry was surprised, they always went places together. Jerry insisted, "you go, have fun." Berry smiled. Jerry was always concerned about Berry being happy and that was nice. Berry barked, Jerry smiled, and Berry turned and ran towards the little lake. Berry ran the whole way, tongue wagging in the open air, speeding towards the little lake.

As Berry approached the little lake, the sun was reflecting of the water and into Berry. It was warm and bright and happy. Berry liked it there and ran around the edge of the lake, investigating it from every angle. Berry drank from the lake and met some of the other animals, although very few of them were dogs. Some of the animals were jumping in the lake and swimming. Berry wanted to, but Jerry was alone and Berry was worried. Berry took one last lap around the lake and then started back to where Jerry was.

Berry ran the whole way back and found Jerry where they had spent the night. Jerry was just getting up from lying down and seemed to have been sleeping. Jerry saw Berry and smiled, Berry smiled back and barked. Jerry barked. They looked at each other for a moment and then Berry went and sat next to Jerry. They leaned into one another and fell back into that comfort they each loved so much. They slept throughout the most of the night. Just before dawn, Berry half-woke from a bad dream and whimpered. Jerry, without waking, reached out a paw and touched Berry on the top of the head. Berry calmed and Jerry leaned in closer. They both went back to sleep.

The next morning, Berry awoke with excitement at what the day would bring. Jerry was up and staring off towards the little lake. Berry barked and ran off to find them some food. Berry returned and they ate. They walked a little ways together in the direction of the little lake, but did not get very far before Jerry wanted to sit again. Jerry sat and breathed deep. Berry sat too, leaning against Jerry. After a while Jerry looked to Berry and insisted he go to the little lake alone again. Berry wanted them to go together but Jerry would not go.

Berry ran to the little lake again, this time with a little less enthusiasm. When Berry got to the lake some of the other animals recognized and came to talk to Berry. There were more dogs at the lake today and they introduced themselves to Berry. They all played together, although Berry was a bit timid and almost felt guilty for having fun without Jerry. Berry even got into the water and swam a little, but not very far out and not for long. Time passed quickly while Berry was at the lake and soon it was time to return to Jerry.

Berry ran the whole way back and found Jerry exactly where they had been before. Again, Jerry was just sitting up and looked to have been sleeping. They smiled at each other, happy to once again be together. Berry sat and leaned into Jerry. They rested against each other and laughed and talked until they slept. They slept leaning against one another and they both enjoyed how good that felt.

The next morning, Berry woke again to find Jerry was already up. Jerry encouraged Berry to go to the little lake. Berry really wanted Jerry to go too, but Jerry could not be persuaded. Berry went to the little lake again without Jerry. The other animals had become friends to Berry and they all played together. Berry had fun, but was always worried about Jerry being alone. Berry never stayed as long at the little lake as the other animals for want to return to Jerry. Berry liked being with Jerry and didn’t mind leaving the new friends so they could be together. Berry wished Jerry could meet the new friends and play with them all together.

For quite some time did things continue this way, Berry going to the little lake alone and Jerry staying behind. Everyday Berry would have fun at the lake, but be worried for Jerry at the same time. Everyday Berry would return to where Jerry was and they would spend the nights together and they would enjoy it, as they got along so well.

One night Berry asked why Jerry never went to the little lake. Jerry said, “I’m not sure I even want to go to the lake anymore.” Berry asked many questions about the lake and what Jerry wanted, but Berry never fully understood what Jerry was trying to say. Berry would try to understand, Berry would always try. Jerry could see the concern in Berry’s eyes and said, “You should still go to the little lake though. If the little lake makes you happy than I want you to go as much as you want.” Berry smiled, touched at Jerry’s concern. Jerry wanted Berry to be happy at the little lake and that made Berry happy.

The two leaned in and relaxed into one another once again. They were dozing off together as Berry suddenly sat straight up, looking off into nothing, head cocked to one side. Jerry looked up at Berry, but said nothing. Berry was silent for a long moment, still looking off into nothing. Finally, Berry spoke.

“Jerry… I wanted to go to the big lake.”