DOGS Of THE JUNGLE

Starring: Streaker (no intro needed, she's mine), American Pie (Streaker's biological mom, like the rest, she belongs to my brother), Montana (Streaker's biological sister), Shorty (a stray that followed American Pie home), Buck Roo (a stray that followed Montana home), Beagle Bagel ( a formerly abused beagle that my brother risked life and limb to rescue one day), and little Shooter (born to Beagle Bagel and Shorty the day after Christmas last year).  And of course Ted.  Ted is allowed his bed in The Jungle based upon the dogs realization, that although hampered, Ted can and is willing to, operate the can opener.

Tucked neatly away in the backwoods of rural Horry County, near Conway, SC is a pristine but non-descript piece of land boasting a bevy of Carolina pines and rich hardwoods, called "The Jungle" with its own private road (Jungle Road), large master plantation-style home and a guest compound.  The 'master' of this piece of land is a nice old aging fellow and his South Korean wife.  They are sort of peaceful recluses and tend to keep to themselves.

The guest compound consisting of a private drive, a fenced compound, an older mobile home, shed, tent area, an open garden and a 'secret' garden is the little spot on earth that my brother Ted calls home along with his six dogs.  And for a little while, Streaker and I are the newest partakers of 'The Jungle'. 

Ted has lived at 'The Jungle' for nigh on seven years.  He has never been required to pay rent which is a good thing since Ted has no money.  Well, he has no legal income may be a better way to put it.  He pays his lights and cable and once a week our sister stops by with his clean laundry.  It's not a bad gig.

Occasionally, Ted will be required to mow the master's lawn, harvest bamboo or repair a gutter but mostly Ted is left alone to tend his gardens and his dogs.  Both, his passions.  In an earlier life he was an aspiring, nay, an accomplished artist, he even did the murals on the new high school in our hometown back in 1975 or so.

But this tale is not about Ted, it is an introduction to Streaker's extended family.  An introduction to the Dogs of the Jungle.  Please enjoy the photos.  And, I promise to let Streaker read all comments.  Ted's dogs have never learned the joy of reading so I'll leave it up to Streaker to translate your comments for them.  This canine family started with American Pie.  She was just a pup when Ted's friend gave him to her on the day of dady's funeral; he was concerned Ted was feeling too alone since at the time Ted stayed with daddy.  The following year I was watching 'Pie' and let her get away from me.  She came home tired, proud and pregnant.  I was there the night she gave birth and vowed I would take the first critter to see daylight which Ted named Carolina but I changed to Streaker six months later.  Ted kept the runt of the all female litter and named her Montana.  That was the beginning...............