I could understand how passersby may have thought he was a small bear, because he was cute like Winnie-The-Pooh.
Uh oh, the neighbor’s dog got loose and is eating their trash in the front yard. Wait a minute, they don’t have a dog! And I’ve never seen anyone in the neighborhood walking that dog.
I got a leash out of the back of my car and walked towards the dog. Took out my camera, well technically my iPhone. But, it has a camera and it’s always with me. I stopped at a good distance, zoomed in, and got the shot included here.
As a former professional dog trainer, I knew the best approach to reach the dog. I kept my back to him, never made eye contact, and didn’t approach him directly. I displaced him away from the trash. He laid down behind me, panting with a big tongue that looked like a spatula dangling out of his mouth. The shape of his tongue indicated he was stressed. He was resting, not runing from me. That was a good sign.
Just stay there little guy. I mean you no harm. I am no threat. Just come to me, pleeease.
I scooted my butt on the wet grass, still with my back to him. I got closer. I peeked out of the corner of my eye to see he wore a black nylon collar with white paw prints on it. The collar was too big.
Shoot, no tags.
He was wet from the drizzling rain and he was dirty. He didn’t look like he had been on the run for long. I inched closer and reached for the leash in my back. He jumped to his feet, ran around to face me. He made the first eye contact. That’s very good! He understood my language. He barked twice and play-bowed. He was inviting me to play. I extended my arm.
Come to me. We can play later. Just don’t run in the road. Why is this road so busy with traffic? SLOW DOWN people!
He barked at me once more and ran into the yard, behind the tall arborvitaes and into the neighbor’s yard. I had to get my myself together and leave for work in a few minutes. I left disappointed. On the short walk home I heard a car horn blare at length.
He must have run in the road. I don’t hear any yelping. Maybe, he didn’t get hit. Why do I have to work today?
I posted the picture I took on the Facebook page of Animal Control.
I got to work and had an email waiting for me. It was from Animal Control.
Courtesy: 123RF
“Picked up the dog. Hit by car :(”
I replied, “Alive?”
“No”
Shit, shit, SHIT!
Did I ever mention life is hard?
Why did I have to experience this? What good came of this situation? Why was I put in that situation? I mean, I was so close. He trusted me. The dog started our “conversation.” I just don’t understand.
I later learned the dog was a victim of a hit and run. The person never stopped. That hurts me even more! The driver has no soul. Yeah, I know that’s a harsh statement. It’s meant to be. But, it’s not worse than killing a dog and driving away. At least call the police for crying out loud!
I guess I just have to live with the harsh reality that our lives are filled with harsh circumstances. It’s never predictable. Life is always going to throw us curveballs and monkeywrenches to keep us on our toes. It doesn’t mean we have to like what happens to us but we have to accept it, live with it, and somehow find the strength to move on.
May today be better than yesterday.
Be Kind. Be Thankful. Be Significant.
