Page 23 of Pigeon

“Axel said she told him he has a big yamagurgle, and he thinks that means he has a big di… uh, well, he thinks it’s about his boy parts.” Craig laughs loudly for a few seconds before continuing. “Me and Chubs googled it…” Craig pauses again to laugh. “Yamagurgle is slang for forehead! Prissy thinks he has a big forehead! Probably because he’s bald!” At this point, Craig’s bent over slightly, kicking his legs, laughing uncontrollably.

I think back to Axel and Prissy’s conversation, and I start laughing along with Craig. This makes him laugh even harder, and even the goats quit bouncing around long enough to look his way.

“Oh my God! Did you tell him what you found out?” I ask.

“No! It’s too funny to ruin by telling him! Chubs, Lucy, and I just laugh when he tells someone all about Prissy,” Craig answers, wide smile still in place.

“I’ve met Chubs and several of the others in the club. You’re lucky to have so many nice people in your life,” I tell him sincerely. “They’ve done so much for the rescue, and it’s very kind of them.”

“Yeah, I’m very lucky. My real mom didn’t want to be a mom, so Pips adopted me. She loves me, and I have a whole family now. Luke, Bella, and even Ava are all adopted too,” he answers with all humor gone.

Looking at his face, I expect to see sadness, but I don’t. His face is soft, full of love, and I realize how secure he is in his family. He knows who he is, and he knows he’s loved. My heart swells for the confident little boy and that he’s landed in a safe place.

“That’s really cool, Craig. My mom was sick a lot and couldn’t raise me and my brother. We were lucky too because our grandparents wanted us to live with them. They gave us a good life.”

“Trigger is my Papa now. He takes me and Luke fishing sometimes. He’s building a bike for Luke, so we can ride together, but that’s a secret. Luke doesn’t know about it yet. Pooh and Pippa are getting married this fall, and then he’s going to be my dad because he’s adopting me too. Did your grandparents build you a bike and take you fishing too?”

“We fished together on the ranch, and they taught me a lot of other things. Like how to ride a horse and how to rope. How to care for the animals, and how to cook. I can drive a tractor, doctor sick animals, and know when and how to cut the hay. They bought me my first horse when I was a little younger than you,” I answer.

“You lived on a ranch?” he asks with wide eyes.

“I still live there.”

“Did you rodeo?”

“Yep, I did breakaway roping, barrel racing, and goat tying. They let me join 4-H, and I showed steers, horses, and pigs.”

“I want to learn how to ride horses. Ava said she’s going to get a couple someday, and I want to be able to ride them,” Craig says with a sly grin aimed at me.

“Yes, before you ask, I’ll teach you if your parents agree,” I say with a grin at the way his whole face lights up.

“Thanks, Ivy! I can’t wait!”

“Ready to get back to work?”

“Yeah, we better before these goats eat my other shoelace,” Craig answers while holding up a booted foot that’s missing its lace.

“Hey, Craig, Ivy! How’s it going?” Chubs says with a grin as he approaches Craig and me by the dog park area.

“Hi, Chubs!” Craig shouts excitedly.

“Hi, Chubs. Want to meet Ava’s donkeys?” I ask.

“Absolutely,” Chubs answers.

We just put several dogs in the outside yard, and we’re getting ready to go to the horse barn when Chubs appeared. Craig couldn’t wait to see Ava’s donkeys, so we went there earlier today, but now we have a few minutes, and he wants to learn how to groom them. Chubs falls into step beside us as we enter the barn.

I hand Craig two lead ropes and wait beside Chubs as Craig enters the donkeys’ stall. A minute later, he exits, leading Moose and Matilda just like I showed him earlier. Both donkeys look Chubs over carefully, decide he’s not a threat and walk past. Using an extra lead rope, I show Craig how to tie the donkeys using a quick-release knot. He practices it a few times, and I’m surprised at how quickly he learns. I explain why that knot should be used, and Craig nods in understanding. Once he’s ready, I let him tie the two donkeys to the rings hanging from the outside of their stall.

Once secured, I hand Craig the bucket of brushes. I explain about each one, how to use them, and give a quick demonstration. Craig listens closely and follows my instructions to the letter. Looking over at Chubs, I see his smile and the pride he has for this little boy.

Chubs and I step back and let Craig get to work. I smother a laugh when Craig starts talking to the donkeys while grooming them. He’s telling them about his day, the other animals, and how excited the kids are that they’re coming to live with them. He even explains about Bart, his skunk, and how they don’t need to be afraid of him, and how Loki’s just a large teddy bear.

“He’s amazing with the animals,” I tell Chubs in a low voice.

“Yeah, he is. He’s amazing, period. Smart as hell, takes great care of the animals at the clubhouse and looks out for the other kids. He’s learned more sign language than any of the adults have or even Lucas has. He learns words and then teaches them to Luke. I would love to know his IQ, but I’m afraid it might be higher than mine,” Chubs says with a chuckle.

“Are you here to take him back home?” I ask, hoping that’s not why Chubs showed up.

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