The Community Dog

[peacebuzzard]

for my veggie vegan friends in this little corner of the world. I have been so busy and missed you guys, but here is a little something I have done lately---sorry it is a long rambling story--I couldn't sleep last night, tossing and turning in a strange city away from my home and my animal family so I thought I would check in and tell you a story..........


First time I saw this dog she was frozen, staring straight at me. She was a remarkably cute dog: white with spots and a black patch on one eye. She was on the long driveway which went straight down to the holler from my house.
(for those of you who need a definition--in the south a holler denotes an area between hills and in valleys where something notable exists: a house, a field, barn, etc....)
In the holler there were 3 homes and after this dog studied me for a few minutes she took off running down to the holler and homes.
Over the next few months between my constant traveling and caring for my own home and companion animals (I have always had multiple dogs, my pack family--I love them so) I saw this dog a couple of times, running back and forth in the fields between the homes in the holler. I saw someone talk to her. She wagged her tail. Seemed happy. My life was going along.

Another neighbor, Doris, who knows everything about everybody on my road filled in more information over the months & years that the dog belonged to Nick, a drunk who used to live in the holler about a half mile away. Throughout my decade and a half of living in the area I had several encounters with Nick, none of them pleasant. There was even a time I went to his home to buy something, and I remembered seeing a waif of a poor dog tied to a tree. I never went back. I quit talking to Nick for years. Nick the drunk lost his home and moved away. The same neighbor months to a year later told me Nick had left his dog in the holler. Nick left about 3 to 4 years ago.

About a year and a half ago a dog came into my yard, friendly, happy and contentedly made herself at home. Me: rushing, busy, errands and now a new dilemma: a lost dog. I put her in one of my yards and used a marker for signs for a lost dog and put them up at the neighborhood convenience store and laundry. She spent the night in my yard very quietly. The next day my holler neighbor called to claim her. I had forgotten about the holler dog I had seen, since it was now two years or so later. The holler neighbor said , let her go, she will come back.

Doris my neighbor who had originally filled me in on the origins of the dog now was taking an interest in the dog. Big Problem. Both my house and my neighbor Doris' house is on a road that is now becoming more and more populated. You see, the city is moving my direction and there are many new developments springing up overnight. They are coming closer and closer to me and my holler neighborhood.
But Doris is like that. Over the years I have known her she has acquired several pets with the same fate: she would give them away to someone who lives on a farm this would always piss me off. Damn it we live on farms!

I had offered to take the dog in. I spoke with Doris. I spoke with the holler neighbor. Both said the same thing. She belongs here, she goes over there. Everyone feeds her. This used to be Nick's dog. One day Doris even called me to come and get the dog. I did. She called me back again within hours. Let her go. Mom misses the dog. The dog protects mom. By these months the dog was now staying mainly with Doris and her mom, who lived in a little home next door to Doris. On the road. I had plans. In the spring (this year) when I take my dog family to be vaccinated I would take this little community dog and get her tagged. I would then have legal rights. My dogs were taken to be vaccinated. My disabled sister came to stay with me, my life was now more complicated.

Two weeks ago I was on my deck and I saw animal control drive by. Slowly. Not good. They drove up to Doris' farmhouse. I quickly ran up there. It was the community dog that Doris was wrestling with and handing over to the uniformed drivers.

"I'll take her!" I was puffing up the hill. "Doris, I will take her.!"

Doris was busy talking, " Her name is Nicky, someone on a farm will give her a good home. She is a good dog." Doris turned to me.

"she is chasing motorcycles and cars. " I knew this. I always dreaded this. "A man stopped and said he was going to take me to court if she chases him anymore. Oh, and she is sick. She has heartworms."

I looked at her, "How do you know?" Doris never vets her animals.

Without blinking an eye Doris reported, "someone told me, because of her cough."

And me, dismayed, "I will take her!" The control people asked me if I was the owner.

"No. She has been around the neighborhood for a long time." I was very worried. I knew what I would do. The animal control people got in their truck and left with Nicky, the community dog now locked up in that compartment that has no windows and looks like a refrigerator.

Doris tried to reason with me. " It is expensive. You have your sister, sick. You are always gone with your job. You have all your other animals." I small talked with her for a few moments and now my day was filled with extra errands.

Yes. I went that afternoon to the Animal Shelter. A worker called me back last week with the prognosis. I have already sent in the money for the heartworm treatment. I am saving up for her adoption and she should be coming home to the holler in about a month. But this time to a fenced yard with a dog house that overlooks the holler. And she will be tagged, and living on a lady's farm.


Jake looking down the holler. (one of the dogs my neighbor did not want, that I adopted, he is now in doggy heaven)

[flvegan]

1. Welcome back, and thanks for the story.

Many of us know folks like this or have been in this situation.

How much is the adoption, if I might ask?

[peacebuzzard]

2. Hi fivegan. Very reasonable actually.

150 for the heartworm treatment which includes the boarding. In my case, there would have been no way I could have kept her at home because of my travel schedule; and my good ol' country vet could not have beat that price. And the adoption fee is 100. Very reasonable considering she will be fed and housed until Oct. 1.

Should give me time to set up a little yard for her.

And since she only knows the woods, and the holler, and sleeping under porches, the dog house I have for her will be luxury accomodations, for sure. It will take a long time w/ my schedule to introduce her to my pack.

I had a small surprise deposit in my checking account from some back pay and so I figure, what goes round, comes round. I will post updated pics, as soon as I can.....which might be a month or two. !!!

(lots of challenges going on!)

[flvegan]

3. You got it at cost.

That's what we pay when we need to, as our vet does it at cost. That's very fair and kind of them.

[RebelOne]

4. That's a wonderful story.

You are such a great person for rescuing that poor little doggie. $150 for heartworm treatment is a real bargain. I'm sure she will have a happy home with you.

[peacebuzzard]

5. Thanks. I am glad I was able to intercept

I was at home at the right time. Amazing.

That holler w/ its characters and settings is as much her home as everyone who lives there....