Hi Lady Croc:
Thought I would share a dog story I found:
Abandoned
Where he came from, I haven't a clue. He was just there that morning when I went out to get the mail. Just sitting next to my mailbox staring off down the road. There wasn't a car in sight, but here there never is. It's one of the plusses and the drawbacks of living in the country, no noise, but no company either. It kinda scared me seeing him there. I don't like dogs much, especially big ole strays like this one seemed to be. They dig up your plants and piss on your door and are as likely to bite you as not. He looked my way once as I edged near the mailbox but it was just a glance; wasn't threatening, so I figured it was safe enough to get the mail.
I checked again at noon and sure enough, that damn dog was still sitting there. Still staring down my old dusty road. You'd think he'd go chase a rabbit or something.. damn dog's gotta be hungry. But no, he just sat there like a big black cement statue. I swear if I had two of em, I could hang a new gate. But one sure looked like one too many right then.
I got busy then with chores and didn't think about him again until after supper. I looked out, and yes, he was still sitting there. Took him out some water and the table scraps. Well even an old mutt has got to eat, right? He didn't seem to be getting into nothing right then.
I walked over to him real slow, talking friendly, and sat the bowl down in front of him. He sort of shifted his weight back and forth on his two front paws and whined a few times, but kept on staring down that road. He let me pet him, but I could tell he thought I was a nuisance. He was busy waiting. Stupid ole dog, don't he know they ain't coming back? Dumped him, they did... somebody. People are dumber than animals most times. I know about being dumped. Ya love and ya trust, and one day the car door opens and you find yourself sitting in the dirt in the middle of nowhere wondering what you did wrong. Damned old dog. Well I did all I could do
Next morning, sure enough, he's still sitting there. I cleaned out the refrigerater; it needed it. Found part of a roast I fixed last Sunday then didn't feel much like eating. Everything goes to waste around here these days. Figured I might as well throw it to the dog.
I walked over to him, talking again. He still didn't pay me no mind, but I'm used to that from people. Ain't gonna upset me, coming from a dog. I told him how the day sure was hot out here and I thought he might like some dinner, but then I stopped talking for a minute when I looked in his bowl. "Hey! what's the matter with you, you ole begger? Ain't my scraps good enough for ya?" He just stared off down the road. "Goddamnit, boy, you gotta eat!" I says and added the roast to the untouched bowl. He looked at me then, and a chill went all the way down my spine. I know that look. He ain't never gonna eat. It ain't food that dumb old dog longs for. "Well I can't stand around here all day, there's a storm coming. You can sleep on my porch if ya wants,'' I mumbled and hurried back to the house.
I guess I coulda called the county dog catcher. They'da taken care of the problem right enough. But every time I'd reach for the phone, I'd see him through the window. Just sitting; waiting for some damn fool who don't know how much he's loved; how much he's thrown away.
Around midnight, I guess it was, the storm struck like all Hell breaking loose. I don't know whether it was the thunder that woke me or that damn dog's howls. I grabbed my housecoat and went out to try and bring him inside. Sometimes I ain't got the sense a turkey is born with. I shoulda known it'd do me no good. All I got for my trouble was soaked to the skin. Yeah, he was scared of the storm but it'd take a stronger person than me to budge him off that spot. I pulled and I begged and I slid in the mud, and he sat there like stone and just howled.
Next morning after picking up the tree branches in my yard, I checked the papers and did some calling around. Might be someone lost a big old dog, not just abandoned him here. Well, it does happen. But no, hadn't been any reports of missing animals. He was dumped, alright; no doubt about it.
I kept trying to feed him those next days. Was the right thing to do, I guess. Either that or shoot him in the head, but I'm too weak to do that one. If I were stronger I'da done that trick to myself a long time ago.
Then one night I don't know what came over me, but I just couldn't sleep at all. I kept going to the window, seeing that black shape laying out there. Finally I gave in and just went out and sat beside him. He wimpered a little and I think we cried together for awhile, me, with my head on his back. I told him he wasn't alone even though he thought he was, but his big ole sad eyes said he knew different. It was strange, looking into those eyes. I could swear I saw somebody I know in there. I guess I got a little carried away out there that night. I told him all about the people who'd left me sitting... all about the times I tried so hard but wishing didn't bring them back. I told him how people always seem to leave folks like us and they think we'd be just fine alone and probably better off without them. But me and that old dog knew different.
Next morning, I got my shovel and dug the hole right there by the mailbox. I figured that's the only spot I had where he'd want to be. It wasn't home, wherever that was, but it's the spot he was left in, and the spot he stayed in for the rest of his days. Stupid damn dog.
I still see him sometimes, you know, sitting out there waiting. Grass is covering the spot real well now, but I know he's still there... just waiting. So, Mister.. if you ever read this.... I got your damn dog.
By Meranda
Founder of UnitedMinds |
