Beheaded

I didn't realize how much we needed to add Friend to our little family. Every one of us, including Robby who is a professed cat person, has developed a special bond with Friend. I find it interesting to watch Friend morph into the version of the pup preferred by whoever is with him at the moment. He wants to please and, with one glaring exception, he is the perfect puppy.

I researched extensively, but somehow I failed to appreciate the hunting instinct of the spaniel. Friend is a quiet little cuddle pup inside the house, but as soon as he steps into the fresh air he turns into a monster killer. He pulls on his leash so aggressively that I upgraded for fear that it would snap. He leaps at the base of trees in an attempt to snatch a squirrel. Bugs, frogs and snakes have all become victim to my little killer.

Yesterday I was walking Friend in the early evening, trying to enjoy some quiet time before the chaos of packing commenced. Usually he meanders, but this time Friend walked out of the woods and straight to the front door when he was done. He forgot about his treat and walked directly to my bedroom.

I didn't think much of it at the time and proceeded to clean up the kitchen. After about 20 minutes I walked to the bedroom and I saw Friend in the middle of the floor. He was sitting over something red, yellow and green. It took me a few seconds to connect what I was seeing. When the connections were made, I froze and screamed at the top of my lungs. (Freezing, screaming and peeing my pants seems to be my fight or flight response.)

It was a frog. Specifically, it was a headless frog. A juicy, bloody headless frog. 

I began to wretch as Robby discarded the carcass. I had trouble looking into Friend's eyes for the rest of the night.