ankles
sliced
by blackberry cane thorns
silty muck
covered
sneakers
an assortment of
leaves and twigs
between skin and clothes
I paused to listen
unintelligible voices
then phone rang
“she’s home”
he said
Henny again tested my trust and patience. On a ball retrieve, thirty foot cord dangling behind, she just kept going.
For over an hour I searched through thick brush, drove neighborhood streets, and called her name.
A neighbor heard her barks and could see her tangled far off in the acreage. She called sheriff for back-up as she had no idea what to expect.
When I brought Jack-o-lantern cookies to neighbor as tiny gift of thanks, she reported: sheriff, also covered in silty muck, untangled Henny’s cord. The runaway was apparently hopping like a kangaroo throughout.
Tag read: Henrietta
“Oh, that’s my neighbor’s dog,” my neighbor said.
Sheriff left.
Neighbor walked Hen home to the boy.
I received good news over the wires.
(Good news is italicized for a reason. I’m still a little grumpy this morning.)
A friend offered a reframe to sooth my wounds…
Better to have a dog to be mad at than one missing.
True that.
:)
Why am I telling this story?
Because I believe most people are good.
Most people step up and do good things.
Neighbor shared, “The sheriff and I both agreed it was a fantastic day. We saved a dog and because she had her tags, there was no need for transport to the humane society. We felt happy.”
When we take responsibility for ourselves,
take care of this place,
take care of each other,
does the world take care of itself?
Wheatley's quote included "take care of yourself" didn't it?