Stray

Michael and I had a very special Date night planned tonight. It was actually cool enough today to leave Penny in the car after her "swimming lesson." We went to a nice dinner and were heading to a movie (AT THE THEATER NO LESS!!!) Its Saturday night and we decided to take a 30 second detour to drive past the church we want to try tomorrow, kinda get the lay of the land a bit. As we were taking a swift pass through of the parking lot I looked in my rearview mirror and see a large black and white dog following us at a gallop. I drive to the other side of the parking lot and he still is following us. I park and lean out the window; no collar. I grabed Penny's extra leash and easily looped it around his neck. He was such a sweet boy.  He was panting hard and I quickly got out Penny's ice water and gave it to him. He drank the ENTIRE bowl in a few seconds. 

He was obviously someones pet. He was beautiful, clean, trained, social, and neutered. He was gentle and friendly with me, Michael, and Penny. We tried to call our vet but it was already closed. We found an emergency vet in the area, they told us to call animal control. We called animal control and there was only one man working the ENTIRE county today. We assure the lady on the phone that the dog is not being aggressive and is under our control. She tells us it might be a while before anyone can make it to help us. 

We walk around for about an hour. Michael and I just fall in love with the boy, we decide to call him Buddy. 

The truck comes pulling up and an older gentleman in the tan city uniform gets out. Buddy decides this man might not be as cool as Penny and her human parents but he is willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt and gives him some kisses and wrestles a bit. 

The animal control guy says he thinks he must be from the neighborhood around us cause he looks too good to have been a stray very long. He scanned him for a microchip, nothing. 

He put a new leash on Buddy and tried to get him to the truck. Buddy decides that is not cool. He puts up a gentle struggle, tries to slip his collar and back away. In the end the man has to scoop the large (I'd say 80 lb dog) into his arms and lift him into a small cage and then close him in. All Buddy did was one terrified and piteous yelp. I LOST IT. 

Not going to pretend I was brave and held it together. I SOBBED. To see such a sweet creature get so scared and then make that tragic little protest. He didn't fight or growl or snarl at all, just one little yipe. TEARS FLOWED!

Michael asked the man how we could check in on Buddy, what would happen if they couldn't find his owner and how long he had before he was.... you know... (the door at the end of the hall at the pound where no dog comes out of.... you saw Lady and the Tramp, you know what I mean...)

The guy handed us a flyer circled a phone number and said to call on Monday. They keep an unidentified dog five days before they go for adoption. 

As he was driving away he told us he would cruise the neighborhood to see if anyone one looked like they had lost a dog.  (fat chance I thought)

I sat down on the back seat of the van and just cried. Michael, ever my gentle-man, soothed and comforted me. But I really just needed to sit for a while. We had missed the last showing of the movie and I was feeling heart sick about Buddy. 

All of a sudden Michael got a really intent look on his face and said "Listen!" I stopped sniveling and listened. In the distance, across a field, behind some trees, past some houses in a street we heard someone calling. We couldn't really hear what they were calling but anyone whose ever lost a dog knows the sound of someone calling their lost puppy. We JUMPED up and ran to the edge of the parking lot and into the field. I shouted as loud as I could at the general direction of the calling. 

"Did you loose your dog?"

YES

"Was it an akita?"

YES DO YOU HAVE HIM?

"He was just picked up by animal control!"

DID THEY LEAVE YET?

"Yes! But I have their number here!"

At that exact  moment,  I look left and there, on the street curb was the animal control guy! He had come to the end of a cul-de-sack and was making a U-turn. I shout at him and wave and start heading to him. He gets out and walks toward me. I shout back to the Owner.

"He's right here. He's safe"

IM COMING

and we saw a young man (20-23ish if I had to guess) running towards us. 

The dog had slipped his collar and gone exploring. He'd been gone for three hours. 

The Animal control guy happily released his prisoner to this owner who was so grateful to get his dog back. 

Happy Ending for All!

So get this, his real name was BUDDY!!!!!