August 07, 2007
Why do so many people seem not to care about the safety of a dog? The girls and I were headed to the grocery store and see cars slowing down to get around a dog who is wandering in the fairly busy street. At least 6 people passed up this dog, and numerous others are out for walks (though I don't know why, it's so hot and humid the walk to the curb results in a shower and change of clothes). Not one person seemed to show any interest in helping what was obviously a pet that had wandered off. So I pull over and approach the dog, who just plops her little butt down and lets me pet her, a total sweetheart. She had a collar and tags on, one said her name was Holly and had a phone number. But she got away from me and I had to pursue her for about 10 minutes before I grabbed her again. I'm walking right through people's yards calling her and trying to get her to come over when all she wants to do is play. A lovely lady gave me a few treats and a leash to use and I finally got the stinker. We walk to our house, leaving our car behind (my husband is highly allergic to dogs, so no way am I bringing it in the car). The whole way home, I'm asking anyone we pass if they recognize the dog. Nobody does, except for the fact that she was trotting by earlier. By the time I get back I'm nearly dying of heat exhaustion and Holly is panting like crazy. I get her some water, change into cooler clothes and check out her tags. I can't find her name tag with her number on it, somehow it has gone missing. But she has her rabies and registration tags, so I call the number and it's in the next town over. Animal control gave me the name and address of the owner, I call and leave a message and try to figure out what I'm going to do with her when a blue minivan pulls up. I ask the woman if she's missing a dog and she says yes, she's been looking for her.
She was beside herself with panic because it's her daughter's dog she's watching and her daughter recently lost her husband. The poor woman is shaking with relief. Holly, who turns out is a beagle/labrador mix (SO cute!) hops into the car, plops onto the seat, and looks as innocent as a baby. The cutie doesn't even have the decency to put on a guilty look. I can't imagine how far the dog would have gone before her owner found her or someone helped her out. It's horribly hot out, and the street she was heading down gets quite busy during the day. Even on a side street, I had to make a car nearly stop so I could make sure the dog was safe.
(Before any of you cry out "You should never approach a strange dog!", I'll let you know, up until I married my husband, I had dogs all my life. I'm not going to approach it if it gives any indication of feeling threatened. But 1)this was obviously someone's pet, not some random stray, and 2) they way she plopped down and looked at me was clear she was docile. When I approached her she just let me pet her and she didn't even flinch when I looked at her tags. That being said, if it was a dog from a different, larger breed, I might not have been so ready to approach it. And I know to never touch or get to close to an injured dog, they are totally unpredictable. Also? I did not let the kids near her (or even out of the car) until I knew she was friendly).
UPDATE: I get a random person ringing my doorbell at 3:30 in the afternoon and a blue van is parked in the driveway. It's the woman that claimed Holly yesterday with a card of thanks for me. She was looking a lot more relaxed now that the goober dog was safe and sound. After she left, I opened the card and there is also a $25 gift certificate for Corner Bakery as a thank you. When she handed me the envelope, I thanked her and told her I'm just happy that Holly is safe.
She was beside herself with panic because it's her daughter's dog she's watching and her daughter recently lost her husband. The poor woman is shaking with relief. Holly, who turns out is a beagle/labrador mix (SO cute!) hops into the car, plops onto the seat, and looks as innocent as a baby. The cutie doesn't even have the decency to put on a guilty look. I can't imagine how far the dog would have gone before her owner found her or someone helped her out. It's horribly hot out, and the street she was heading down gets quite busy during the day. Even on a side street, I had to make a car nearly stop so I could make sure the dog was safe.
(Before any of you cry out "You should never approach a strange dog!", I'll let you know, up until I married my husband, I had dogs all my life. I'm not going to approach it if it gives any indication of feeling threatened. But 1)this was obviously someone's pet, not some random stray, and 2) they way she plopped down and looked at me was clear she was docile. When I approached her she just let me pet her and she didn't even flinch when I looked at her tags. That being said, if it was a dog from a different, larger breed, I might not have been so ready to approach it. And I know to never touch or get to close to an injured dog, they are totally unpredictable. Also? I did not let the kids near her (or even out of the car) until I knew she was friendly).
UPDATE: I get a random person ringing my doorbell at 3:30 in the afternoon and a blue van is parked in the driveway. It's the woman that claimed Holly yesterday with a card of thanks for me. She was looking a lot more relaxed now that the goober dog was safe and sound. After she left, I opened the card and there is also a $25 gift certificate for Corner Bakery as a thank you. When she handed me the envelope, I thanked her and told her I'm just happy that Holly is safe.