This past Sunday, my husband and I decided to go out for lunch. As we left our house, we noticed a dog in the neighborhood that was loose, and being the dog lover that I am, can never just drive by and ignore an animal that my get hurt if I choose to ignore it.
The dog had no tags, a beautiful brown face, and he was so scared. Then I saw how skinny he was and I knew he hadn't eaten (and possibly not had anything to drink) in a very long time. He came up to me, tail between his legs and then got spooked and started to run down the street, coming to rest underneath a shaded truck in a driveway. Scott went to get a bowl of water since it was so hot outside and I called animal control because I knew food, water, and air conditioning at the animal shelter was better than what this dog was enduring.
It took them about 20 minutes to arrive and during that time I sat in the driveway watching this incredible animal. As we sat in the searing heat, he panted, lost fluid from his mouth, and seemed to look at me begging for help. I imagined what this dog had been through in the last day, the last week, the last month. I could see his ribs and his hips and yet he still had the resilience to go on.
Do not fear, the story has a happy ending. A lovely young lady from animal control came and rescued this dog from under the truck. We gave it food and water right then and there and the look of gratitude on the dog's face is something I will never forget (I think there were even some tail wags!). I hope he will make someone very happy someday soon...he is a very special dog.
And come January, when I am in the middle of this crazy half-marathon and I want to give up, I will think of that dog. I will think of the endurance and resilience that one animal had to make it through a very tough, and probably painful time--and know that he made it. Though he was hungry, thirsty, hot, scared, and exhausted, he hadn't yet given up...it was the hardest thing to witness, but his endurance level amazed me and he will inspire me to press onward every step of the way.
Thank you, sweet doggie.
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You are such a great storyteller! I'm photocopying these "dog stories" of yours and will someday read them to my children to teach them life lessons. Perhaps you should write a book. "Life According to Dog" or "Profound Pooches" or "Wag the Tale". I could go on and on.
ReplyDeleteFunny story, and very coincidental. On July 4th, my brother had lots of friends over and my mom asked me if I would stay awake until the last kid left (girls and boys, teenagers, fireworks, you know). So I did. Come 2:30 a.m. we, the last stragglers and a very sleepy me, were outside on the back porch playing Ouija, when suddenly a huge, snarling black dog came running up to our table. Naturally, we all screamed and ran inside. And put up the Ouija board. Immediately. The following morning, it was back. Only, this time, it was a cute little puppy with a sloppy grin, not the huge, snarling black beast from the night before like we'd thought we'd seen. (A Ouija board can do that to you.) It was emaciated and walked all wobbly, and well, we just took it on inside and fattened her up and loved her bunches. Two days later we left for Hawaii, but not before putting up posters with her picture on it. And not before naming her Martha "Ouija" Washington, for obvious reasons. Although, we hoped her owners would come calling, I believe we all secretly wished that she could become Martha "Ouija" Washington Bennett. Alas, two days later, her real family came calling and swept her up in hugs and kisses and took her home to be fattened up and petted profusely. Her name was Sailor.
haha! my comment will be visible after approval!
ReplyDeleteI came over from Roxanne's blog. She's an ol' neighbor/friend. I wanted to tell you that you have made me get back into walking. I too did the Houston Half Marathon almost 2yrs. ago (loved it) and sadly stopped walking and gained my weight back! Too bad that the registration is closed. BUT you're inspiring me and I'm gonna walk! I also saw your post about your class reunion. You're from Bryan? I graduated 1992 from there and moved about 6 years ago.
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