the Odyssey: young Argos Part I

the Greek story of ARGOS, Odysseus' faithful dog, is the essence of the unerring-unquestioning relationship between  master and dog. Faithful ARGOS-after twenty years of waiting for his master to return- immediately recognizes Odysseus as he arrives home dressed as a beggar. ARGOS cannot get up- but only wags his tail and drops his ears in honour and recognition of his master. Now so old and sorely neglected- as Odysseus passes he sheds a tear at the long years he and ARGOS have been apart-both remembering their glory days. ARGOS at last- seeing his master returned- Dies.

 excerpted from Homer's Odyssey: 
As they were talking, a dog that had been lying asleep raised his head and pricked up his ears. This was Argos, whom Odysseus had bred before setting out for Troy, but he had never had any enjoyment from him. In the old days he used to be taken out by the young men when they went hunting wild goats, or deer, or hares, but now that his master was gone he was lying neglected on the heaps of mule and cow dung that lay in front of the stable doors till the men should come and draw it away to manure the great close; and he was full of fleas. As soon as he saw Odysseus standing there, he dropped his ears and wagged his tail, but he could not get close up to his master. When Odysseus saw the dog on the other side of the yard, dashed a tear from his eyes without Eumaeus seeing it, and said:

"Eumaeus, what a noble hound that is over yonder on the manure heap: his build is splendid; is he as fine a fellow as he looks, or is he only one of those dogs that come begging about a table, and are kept merely for show?"

"This hound," answered Eumaeus, "belonged to him who has died in a far country. If he were what he was when Odysseus left for Troy, he would soon show you what he could do. There was not a wild beast in the forest that could get away from him when he was once on its tracks. But now he has fallen on evil times, for his master is dead and gone, and the women take no care of him. Servants never do their work when their master's hand is no longer over them, for Zeus takes half the goodness out of a man when he makes a slave of him."

So saying he entered the well-built mansion, and made straight for the riotous pretenders in the hall. But Argos passed into the darkness of death, now that he had seen his master once more after twenty years.

ARGOS

Our story is of the young ARGOS... just 15 weeks old- sadly neglected by his master, ARGOS has struggled to survive with his two brothers-one did not have Argos' strength and died. ARGOS, treated for parvo and quarantined, was an urgent case that had to be placed in foster care immediately.  Rather than finding a foster family-though that was their intention- ARGOS has found a new home-complete with MASTER, FAMILY, DOG. SOPHIE- her story here- is ARGOS' sister- she is grumbling accordingly -but She, as ARGOS will soon discover, is perfectly placed with her family. Sophie was a rescue dog too. Deep within her memory- she knows and accepts.

the Master of these two weimaraners told me "ARGOS came with the name Gomer- which of course will not suit a weimaraner, much less MY dog! -Anyway, you know it's from The Odyssey - Odysseus' faithful dog who awaited his return, mistreated while he was away, a true survivor and loyal companion... "

Young ARGOS has a new life- much eating and growing to do-
& a feast of Unlimited love from two young boys.


...more Chronicles of ARGOS' odyssey- as he grows!

.