Nemo’s Return

By Clarence Dinnen, Jamestown, OH

Here is a dog story. It takes place about fifty years ago. The story involves a farmer near New Burlington, Clinton County, Ohio. The village of New Burlington no longer exists due to the development of Caesars Creek Lake.

Donald, the farmer, had a sister who lived in Columbus. She had a big Boxer dog named Nemo. The dog was curious, headstrong, and difficult to train. He had behavioral problems. The straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back (and eventually Nemo’s) happened at Easter.
The family was in the living room of their house and proceeded into the dining room. There was Nemo on the table eating the Easter ham! That was it. They had to get rid of the dog.

But what should they do with the dog? Maybe, maybe Donald would take him on the farm. They called. Donald agreed.

So Nemo had a new home in the country. He had plenty of places to run and explore. Things went well for a few days.

Then one day, Donald drove in and there were several dead chickens spread over the barnyard. Nemo received a scolding and a thrashing. The next day he killed another chicken. Donald tied the dead chicken around the dog’s neck with more scolding and thrashing. It didn’t work. Finally, Donald took the dog to the woods and shot him. He killed him dead and buried him.

That was the end of Nemo. He thought!

A few days later, the sister called from Columbus. How is Nemo doing? Donald thought fast. He’s run away. It has been several days now, and we can’t find him.

Time passed into several weeks. Then one day, a big Boxer dog showed up on the sister’s doorstep. Oh, it’s Nemo! He was come home! The sister and her family welcomed the dog into their home. He had no collar or ID. But they had a polite and well-mannered “Nemo” for many years.