A Dangerous Castle

It is possible to become so wrapped up in the little details of life that one can forget to enjoy the day. In the busy state we have all come to be in these days, to get out and relax requires a bit of planning and effort. Usually, after enjoying the outing, we find ourselves glad the effort was made.

Living near a lovely beach is an excellent idea. But as many residents will tell you, they frequently "forget" it's there. How can this happen? The demands of life can drown out even the call of the surf.

Today was a day that was not to be wasted, though. The sky was such a clear blue, with only a few high, wispy clouds. A cold front extending to the coast brought slightly cooler temperatures and the exquisite gift of lack of humidity. About sunset at Front Beach here, the sun dropped to a point visible between the pilings of the new Biloxi Bay Bridge gleaming like a gigantic ball of orange fire. Such a scene was not to be missed by people and dogs alike.

A very fine English Bulldog made his maiden voyage from his home to the beach here. He delighted in romping in the low tide, investigating every movement in the water where he tread. Short legs made for an easy view of the water's inhabitants. A friendly fellow, he gave this passing beach goer a quick sniff and moved on. Even the scent of cats that inevitably he must have caught a hint of was of no interest to him. Cats are old news, but, ah, this place needed a good checking out. Investigate he did as he wandered out to an area where a previous visitor had constructed a sand castle, complete with a gull's feather fetched from the shore and mounted atop like a flag. As this curious fellow approached the new find, he moved forward with great caution. A quick sniff of it made him leap back like he'd been struck by lightning. Each move forward was followed by a leap back away from this contraption. Finally, he'd had all he could stand and determined that all beach goers must be warned of this dangerous area. With the best bark of alarm he could muster, he sent out warning to all to stay away. As we left him, he continued to sound his alarm in a such a way that surely his ancestors would be proud.

I suspect tonight when his masters took him home for a good night's rest, he will dream of this new place and the wonders that he beheld, again sounding the warning for all to avoid the dangerous castle.