Maggie said yes and then said, “Layla is loving her backpack seat!”

We made it about a hundred yards down the long gravel driveway into the property when we saw Sam pulling in off the county highway. Slowing to a stop in his faded old red Ford pickup, Sam stuck his head out the window and said, “Good morning, Layla!”

Strider had circled back around and Maggie said, “Hey, Sam, we’re walking into town. Is it okay if we take Strider? Is he okay near the road? Do we need to leash him?”

“Oh, sure, take him. He follows me on the Sundays when I walk into town for church. He’ll stay on the trail. When y’all gets to town, everybody knows him. Don’t you worry about it. Y’all have fun!”

Strider was looking up at Sam while he was talking, furiously wagging his tail.

Sam remarked, “I don’t know what’s got into him. I haven’t seen him this happy since he was a pup!” Shaking his head and with a chuckle he said, “I’ve got all my gear and the new sprayer and the extension ladder. I’m gonna take those damn hornets down before y’all get back!”