“A Dog Tail”

By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair

The Screenplay, Featuring: the Jones’ family of dogs – Whip, the miniature Schnauzer; Duke, the German shepherd mix; and Pug, the pug.

The Scene: The Jones backyard, late afternoon, mid May 2026.

Duke: (panting). “Wow. What a great run with Dad and Mom. You two do not know what you missed.”

Whip: (watching the world from the top step of the patio). “I have enjoyed sitting here taking in our mountain beauty. Do you two know that Colorado has 53 official fourteeners, the most of any state in the U.S.”

Duke: “Really? Wow! I bet I could get to the top of all of those. I love to hike.”

Pug: (lying in soft grass) “I might go – if someone carries me and has lots of treats.”

Duke: (moving to Pug) “Not gonna happen. You’d need oxygen with that smashed snout of yours.”

Pug: (standing, looks at Duke, turns away, sits and grunts).

Whip: (unmoved). “Boys, don’t get snippy. Play nice.”

(Duke and Pug look at Whip, each other, shake it off, and move away to settle into their own favorite spots, knowing that smarty pants, Whip has more to say).

Whip: “You two will be happy to know Mom signed us up for Tails On The Trail again this year.”

Pug: “And how do you know that? Did you get hold of her iPad again?”

Whip: (a bit indignant) “No. I read over her shoulder. She lets me because she knows I am extra smart…”

Duke: (cutting in) “Was that the cool race in Salida? I ran with Dad, and I bet we would have won if he had been a little faster, and well, (hangs his head) I had not stopped to – you know do my thing.”

Whip: “Right. It is a 5K, and you can walk or run. It is relatively flat – easy. Duke ran, I walked with Mom…”

Pug: (Interrupting) “And she carried me (looking at Duke), and I did not need oxygen. She even put me down near the end, and I proudly trotted over the finish line while everyone cheered and took photos.”

Duke: (chuckling) “I jumped in the Arkansas for a quick cool off.”

Pug: (raised eyebrows) “And shook off all over anyone nearby. How rude.”

Duke: “Nahhh, no one cared. Everyone there loves all us pooches. They just laughed and gave me treats.”

Pug: “Oh, yeah, great treats and lots of fun – kids, games, food, and lots and lots of attention. Did I mention everyone kept taking my picture, saying how cute?”

Whip: (a bit disgusted) “Are you two finished? You are right, Duke, everyone there adores us. In fact, they really care about the well-being of all animals. And they love the Ark-Valley Humane Society – that I like to shorten to AVHS. Did you know Tails on the Trail is the largest in-person fundraiser of the year for AVHS and it directly supports homeless pets in need – providing safe shelter, essential medical care, and helping animals find loving adoptive homes?”

Duke: (sniffing) “Yeah, I know. It was my home for a while. They took me in, loved on me and showed me that I did not have to be scared anymore.

(moves between Pug and Whip) They helped me find my forever home with Mom and Dad and you two.

Whip and Pug move by Duke and both gently nudge him saying together, “AVHS was our home for a while, too.”

(All three lie down, sigh, and snuggle. Mom enters.)

Mom: “Wow, you three look content. Have I got some good news for you. We’re going to Tails On The Trail again this year and so are our neighbors and their kids who you love so much.” What do you think?

(Whip, Duke, and Pug stand and surround Mom, tails happily wagging).

END OF TAIL

The tail does not really end here because you, too on Sunday, May 31 can attend “Tails On The Trail,” Ark-Valley Humane Society’s walk/run 5K fundraising event. For all the details, go to ark-valley.org. You might meet the Jones family and will definitely have your own tail to tell.