mystery dog |
I was giving our girls their usual evening constitutional
last night when my heart lept into my mouth.
A black cocker spaniel raced right by us and into the street, straight
into the path of an oncoming car.
Fortunately, the driver had his wits about him and slammed on the
brakes.
Just then a couple very good souls, a woman and her daughter
who live around the corner from us, shouted out, “Is that your dog?” “No,” I said, and we stopped to piece
together what had just happened. A
homeless man had asked the woman to take care of this dog which had attached
himself to him. “I don’t have a home,”
he said, “and I can’t take care for him.”
A beautiful little thing, with black curly hair. Clearly shaken by his near-miss and with all the
strangers suddenly focused on him.
Jennifer, the woman’s name was, took the dog home for the night. My girls' other daddy and I brought over some dog
food and sympathy.
This morning Jennifer had the dog checked out. No identifying microchip, no collar, and the
dog had not been neutered. Surprising,
since the dog looked well cared for.
Although they are cat people, they took the dog in and
calmed him down. And later this morning
they took him to the shelter, where for some reason he perked up. “That guy’s young, and he’s gorgeous,” said
the intake person. “We’ll have no
trouble getting him adopted.”
So, so far, at least, the story has taken a nice turn, and I
get to feel extra good about my neighborhood - a place where you find kindly people, including a careful driver who
then suggested the dog might like his candy bar. Funny how people’s first thought with animals
is to feed them. We suggested perhaps
there might be nuts or chocolate or something not good for the dog in there – and that’s
why I made a point of bringing round some dog food. But the naivete of it all warmed my heart. Three strangers – I’m counting mother and
daughter as a unit – suddenly brought together by fate and an opportunity to
embrace a lost soul in need of some warmth and protection.
So often you get to see hostility out there outside your
front door. This was a sign that things
sometimes go right.
If you’re from around here and know somebody who might make
a home for the little guy, contact the Berkeley Animal Shelter and tell them
you’re in the market for a cocker spaniel – Jennifer thinks there may be some
dachshund in him, as well.
Lovely little guy.
Big eyes.
In need of some regular lovin’.
And if you are thinking how curious it is that strangers will come together to take care of a dog while a homeless man is left to shuffle off on his own, I'll tell you I think your point is well taken. Forgive me, though, if the answer is that the dog seemed more vulnerable. And OK, a whole lot cuter. And because I can't save everybody doesn't mean I can't try to help living creatures ranked on the basis of how much I would enjoy sleeping with them.
And if you are thinking how curious it is that strangers will come together to take care of a dog while a homeless man is left to shuffle off on his own, I'll tell you I think your point is well taken. Forgive me, though, if the answer is that the dog seemed more vulnerable. And OK, a whole lot cuter. And because I can't save everybody doesn't mean I can't try to help living creatures ranked on the basis of how much I would enjoy sleeping with them.
Photo credits:
The first photo is of the little black cocker spaniel in question, taken from a neighborhood chat site. Jennifer is trying all she can to find the owner. The second photo comes from: http://petfilm.biz/?p=25715 - and has nothing to do with this story. It's just that I figure if you've read your way this far through this blog posting you're probably the kind of person who needs no explanation for why I would post it.
A big yeah for the people of your neighborhood! And please post more photos of those cuties, related or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteUpdate, Saturday afternoon, July 11th. Jennifer reports she spoke with the shelter staff this morning was told this little guy had been given the name "Derby," after the street where we found him. They assured her Derby was in "no danger of euthanasia." He now has an ID #: A036484. They want to give him a few days to socialize and calm down a bit, and play with the other dogs at the shelter. Derby will then be available for adoption next Friday, July 17. Anyone interested in adopting him should be there as close as possible to opening at 10 a.m., with proof that they have their own home or are allowed to have a dog if they rent. Adoption fee is $125. Please call (510) 981-6600 for more information.
ReplyDeleteUpdate, Tuesday, July 21st. from Jennifer on the neighborhood chat line:
ReplyDeleteNo owner was found, but he has been adopted by a conscientious couple (according to the shelter) who took several days to prep their home before bringing him home. I understand one of them has a workplace that welcomes dogs, so he will not have to be alone during the days. Happy ending. :-)