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I'm a children's author. Animals are a constant source of writing material for me. They are also my heart!

Three Dog (not mine) Day...Really!

>> Sunday, August 30, 2009

I really need to carry a camera in my pocket. The story I'm about to tell you is true, but without photos it might be a little hard to believe (unless you've known me for a very long time).

Last week I left my friend's barn and headed to the barn where I board Tango. The day was as hot as it could possibly be and the scorching sun was literally baking the pavement on the country road. As if that wasn't bad enough, the humidity had to be at least 90 percent. It was awful.


Anyway, I hadn't traveled far when I noticed two large dogs in the middle of the road between two cornfields. One dog was a husky. Both of the dogs looked confused and exhausted.

Out of the window of my car I could clearly see collars on both dogs...and tags. "Good!" I thought to myself. "I'll get the phone number off their tags and find their owner."

I pulled to the side of the road, put on my hazard lights, and got out of my jeep. I called to the dogs. The husky was a little shy, but the other dog wasn't. He saw my open car door and smelled the air conditioning. Quick as a flash, the big muddy dog was panting in my backseat.

Next came the husky, who had clearly encountered a skunk along the way. I took a deep breath, got in the car, and managed to get the phone number off the big dog's tag...I tried (HA!) to stay clear of the skunky husky. The owner of the dogs answered his phone almost immediately. "I've been looking for them everywhere," he said. "Give me directions to where you are and I'll come and get them."

I gave the man directions to my barn and edged back onto the road towards my barn and Tango. Before I could make the first turn, the husky was in my lap...yes he was. It gets better. Now a dump truck was behind me and he wasn't happy. The driver kept laying on his horn urging me to move faster.

I COULDN'T! Not with a husky in my lap. So it went on that way until I pulled into the parking lot of my barn. Nothing is ever subtle in my life and this was no exception. Since all of the people at the barn heard the dump truck's blaring horn, they assumed horses had gotten loose and were on the highway. People came running from all directions. They were thankful that the horses were safe and amused that I couldn't get out of the car for reasons I've already told you.

Long story short (at least this story), the dogs' owner came and got them. My car smelled like skunk, dogs, and mud but I had a nice ride on Tango anyway.

After I rode Tango, I decided to go to a store that carries horse supplies to pick up some fly spray. The store is located about five miles from my barn...of course easily accessible by country roads. I hadn't gone far when I noticed a pit bull dog IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

I closed my eyes and drove around the dog. Really I did. "No more dogs today... I just can't," I told myself.

I made it to Horse World, chatted with the owners, got my fly spray and headed back to the barn. I had actually forgotten about the pit until I SAW HER AGAIN. This time, I couldn't drive by. She was clearly being attacked by horse flies and I know how bad they are right now.

Once again I put on my hazard lights, opened my car door, and got out. The pit was friendly enough. In fact, she even let me slap the flies on her back (which gave me great satisfaction). It was then that I noticed she had on one of those shock collars that keep dogs inside electric fences. "Poor thing," I thought to myself.

I called the pit to my car and was going to drive up and down the road to find out where she lived. The fly-bitten-pit didn't want to get in my car and I wasn't going to argue with her so.....I locked my car, left the pit where she was and went walking up and down the road, knocking on doors until I found where she lived.

In the end, I was a dirty mess, my car smelled, and my husband wasn't happy. But I considered it a fine day. Why? Because three big lost dogs went home. Am I a sap or what?

23 comments:

CATachresis August 30, 2009 at 5:37 PM  

Had to look up "sap" lol. Well if you are, you are a kind one! You gave me a good laugh and warm fuzzies! :)

Lillian Robinson August 30, 2009 at 6:12 PM  

You are a doggy's angel! I would be too scared to do that here. With all the packs of wild dogs we have, not many strays are safe to approach.

BeadedTail August 30, 2009 at 6:16 PM  

Those dogs were all very lucky you happened to come their way that day! I did the same thing last April while on vacation in Texas. It was in the middle of a thunderstorm when we came upon a terrier type dog in the middle of the road. Of course I got out, picked up the wet, muddy dog and called the only number on the tag - the vet's. They gave me "Sally's" address and we took her home. I had to buy a new shirt since I was wet, stained and stinky but it was worth it.

Parsley August 30, 2009 at 7:18 PM  

You're a trooper! I'm sure you'll have a bone shaped jewel in your heavenly crown for your efforts. Thank you for caring when most would just drive by.

2cats August 30, 2009 at 7:23 PM  

You the angel of those roads. And guardian angel for those three dogs.

Tweedles -- that's me August 30, 2009 at 8:27 PM  

That is such a happy ending to those stories.
You have a "special heart" in helping those poor lost dogs. Thank you Jan.
So many people in this world, who consider themselves "good people" would not even consider helping, let alone have a stinky muddy dog in their car getting big or in my case little paw prints on their car seats, and slobbers on their windows.
Your a real friend to all creatures big and small. I thank my lucky stars for people like YOU.
xoxox
tweedles

Unknown August 30, 2009 at 8:57 PM  

You are indeed a doggie angel! Thank you!!!!

BRUTUS August 30, 2009 at 9:00 PM  

You are just a regular doggie guardian angel, Jan! Good karma for sure, if you ever have a problem with your animals, someone is bound to be there to help you!! Nice to hear warm fuzzy (even if the fuzzy is stinky too LOL) stories!! Thanks for sharing :)

Michelle & Brutus

bbes tribe August 30, 2009 at 10:05 PM  

You were those dogs best friend or guardian angel that day. Did you ever get the smell etc out of your car??? I saved a friends dog once. Problem was when I got to her house it wasn't her dog. It did come to me and got in my car and loved me up just like hers did. They even looked the same. Luckily she went back with me because the people were going to call the police on this mean dognapper.
You did good!!!!
Ernie & Sasha's Mom

Ziggy Stardust August 30, 2009 at 10:26 PM  

No you are not a sap!! You are a warm hearted person with a love of living things, nothing wrong with that. You would have never slept that night, thinking about those dogs if you hadn't helped them. It is however amusing me to picture you with the husky in your lap. I am glad the dogs were all friendly and all got home safely. When you woke up that day, God said"Oh look theres Jan, she loves dogs, we will send her to help them, she would never turn away". "She is a good person and though she will get dirty and stink, if it happened again she would do it all over."

Anne and Sasha

Jan Mader August 30, 2009 at 10:47 PM  

I only wish I'd had a camera that day. Tweedles has been pointing me in the right direction. Soon I'll have one I can carry in my pocket.

I don't know about me being an angel, but I could have won money on Funniest Home Video!

And yes, the smell is mostly out of my car. There are still traces of the dogs on my leather seats!

Susan B August 31, 2009 at 12:16 AM  

You did a wonderful service for those three dogs. I'm glad the skunk smell is almost gone! Hope your weekend was relaxing! :o)

Bz August 31, 2009 at 12:59 AM  

No, you're NOT a sap. I COMPLETELY understand where you're coming from (as one who has done the same).
From one animal lover to another: I just love your animal blog!

Maxmom August 31, 2009 at 1:09 AM  

Hey there, Jan

A lovely little story which speaks so well into our animal-loving hearts! Thank you!
And -No! You are not a 'sap', but rather have been presented with a really special gift - its called 'instinct'.
Some time ago, I'd pondered this very issue...and tackled it in a blog post on my other blog. Perhaps you'd be interested:

http://perhapsintime-cam.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-makes-me-me-and-what-makes-you-you.html

By the way, thank you for emailing me. You are so right - we need to encourage one another. Besides that, its always nice to make new friends. Have a happy week.

Caryl

Honeygo Beasley August 31, 2009 at 11:05 AM  

What a day! I'd say you did a lot of good deeds. You're an angel among us.

Sailor's Mom August 31, 2009 at 12:56 PM  

You are indeed a hero for rescuing all three dogs.
The trouble with those invisible fence collars is that the dog will risk the shock to follow something really fascinating, but will be reluctant to go back through it to come home.
And I know huskies! Zoe would much rather sit in my lap in the car than in her crate.

Melinda August 31, 2009 at 1:35 PM  

Im sure that in the end, at the end of that day, you were completely happy. Of course, that would be after a bath...Good for you Jan...

Mollie Jo and Bobo August 31, 2009 at 2:00 PM  

You are a brave one taking in a skunky dog...But any dog/animal lover would do it to help the animal. I myself and done some (shall we say) crazy things to help animals in need.

-Katie

Jan Mader August 31, 2009 at 4:00 PM  

There is a common thread that bonds those of us who love animals...that's why I love blogging with all of you so much! Maybe there's a little bit of "crazy" in all of us!

Sandy August 31, 2009 at 4:23 PM  

No way would I put a strange pit in the car. In fact, I won't even get near when they're on a lease. I'm not sure I'll ever get over the fear. But, I can see you doing this. Seriously though a pit...geesh. Loved the first part of your story and yep...too bad you didn't have a camera. But, then again how would you have gotten a picture with skunky huskie in your lap?

I remember how hot the day was. How did 3 dogs get away from their owners on such a hot day? Maybe you need to carry some water in the car and plastic bowls?

Sounds like they need to make alterations on the security for the pit. Can't the owner be fined pretty heavily? Or maybe it's different out in the country then around here?

Glad you accomplished so much in just one day. Be careful.
Sandy

The Adventures of the LLB Gang September 1, 2009 at 1:36 PM  

What a wonderful way to spend the day...bringing families back together!!!

You sooo Rock Jan!!!!

Dory and the Mama

Ryan September 1, 2009 at 6:25 PM  

Doesnt surprise me a bit......... animals are lucky to have you!!!

T September 7, 2009 at 8:25 PM  

HI Jan,

I just finished catching up on all the posts I have missed.

Thank you so much for stopping and helping the two dogs get back with their owner, skunk smell and all.

Thank you, for not looking the other way the second time you saw the sweet pitty.

All three were lucky that day to cross your path.

This was so good to read, happy ending for all 3 dogs.:)

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