Scampie

A short time ago I overheard John telling Pat about “Scampie”. He told her that Scampie was a cross border collie who lived with them in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) about 40 years ago.

This is what John told Patricia about Scampie:

“Scampie was a cross border collie with rather a long nose. Her coat was silky black with odd patches of white. She was one of the most loving dogs I ever had the privilege of knowing. What I remember most is the way she used to come and sit in front of me and look at me. Her eyes said it all.

In 1970 mom and I moved from Bulawayo (in the south of Rhodesia) to Cape Town. We travelled by train. It was a long journey. Two days and two nights. About 1400 miles. First south into Bechuanaland - a then desolate country. The train had to stop for water and when it did, hawkers emerged from the bush offering rough wooden carvings of the wild animals who lived there. Then south into the Cape Province crossing the arid Karoo. And then down to Cape Town. Scampie came on the journey too, along with her companion, a golden spaniel. The two dogs were to travel in a special place in the guard’s van at the back of the train.

Then tragedy.

When we arrived in Cape Town only the spaniel was there. Scampie was gone. To this day I am very upset about what happened. I have never had closure. What happened to Scampie? Did she fall off the train? Was she hurt? Was she stolen? If she survived was she loved? Gentle Scampie alone in lion country. I don’t want to think about it.”

John carried on talking to Patricia. I listened carefully to every word:

“How I still miss Scampie even though it was so long ago. And then you know what Pat? A few days ago Indy was looking at me very intently. As I looked at her I saw Scampie. And the message from Scampie was clear “all is well”. Was all this only my imagination? Who knows? I don’t think so. Does this have anything to do with reincarnation? I don’t know. All I do know is that Scampie's presence was real to me - a loving, gentle and now comforting and reassuring Scampie.”

When John finished telling Patricia the story I looked at them both and thought “If only you knew....If only you knew”.