Mackey came to B.O.N.E.S. from a bad situation in central Massachusetts. He was underweight and limped painfully. X-rays revealed a displaced femur fracture in his right hind leg – it was amazing that Mackey could use the leg at all. The options didn't look hopeful, but with help from the B.O.N.E.S. Medical Director, a carefully-structured exercise program, and a lot of TLC, he can now lead a normal life.
As Mackey recovered from his injuries, long-time B.O.N.E.S. adopter John was mourning the loss of his long-time beagle companion, Hudson, whose "Chronicles" were documented here for many years. John was settling into a new job with lots of driving, and Mackey loved to ride... a great match. John and Mackey will both share their viewpoints with us on this page.
John:
Greetings from Kittery, Maine!
I was talking with a friend about a trip Mackey and I took out to Indiana, and figured it would be a good story to share here.
We were working out of the Baltimore facility. There was a bucket truck that had to be driven from Lynchburg, Virginia to Ft. Wayne, Indiana. So we rented a car and drove to Lynchburg and found the truck at the jobsite.
It was a mess inside, had an off road suspension that was going to mean a very rough ride, and the gearing was such that it was going to be a slow, bumpy ride.
I loaded my bag, and Mackey's bowls and food. I picked him up, set him inside, and we were off on our adventure. After the first few miles, I took pity on him and allowed him to partially sit on my lap while we were driving, because he had trouble staying in his seat since the ride was so... "ruff." (Sorry, his joke, not mine).
He kept looking at me with a confused look as if asking what he had done to deserve this.
At one point, we hit a bump so bad I had to duck my head so I wouldn't smash it against the ceiling. I glanced over to see poor Mackey standing on the seat with a confused look on his face. He had been sleeping and was suddenly thrown in the air and then landed on his feet!
The next day, we arrived in Ft. Wayne and were happy to be done with that part of the trip. We rented another car and enjoyed a comfortable ride back to Baltimore.
All I remember is that John had a nice car that we went for a ride in. It was cool, quiet, and very comfortable to sleep in.
The next thing I know, John put me up into this old truck with litter all over the place and no comfortable place to sit. After the first few miles, the ride was so bumpy that I couldn't even stay in the seat! I bounced and slid all over the place. Finally, John allowed me to sit in his lap – sort of - and he had his arm around me, holding me in the seat.
After a while, we got on the interstate, and the ride improved a little. At least I could stay in my seat without being bounced off!
I finally got to sleep, when I hear John curse about the same time I'm magically floating in the air. The next thing I know, I'm standing on the seat trying to figure out what just happened.
We finally made it to Ft. Wayne the next day. We got out of that truck and back into a comfortable car for the return trip back to Baltimore.
I was never so glad to see that beautiful blue Kenworth!
I've heard that the company has a plane...
