Homeward Bound

Bret and I love animals, especially dogs. In fact, we've discussed the idea of opening up a ranch for abandoned dogs should we someday have the funds (donations welcome). I think it's because we've both been lucky to have had great dogs growing up.

My dog, Rosie, has been around and a loyal friend since I was eight. But she's getting on in years and I've often wondered when her time will come. In fact, things were looking pretty bad a couple of weeks ago when she was sick. I prepared for the worst and took this picture with her just in case (It's cuter without me in it). Luckily she's on the mend and will hopefully be around a little longer.

Rosie ran away once when we moved and it's because of other animal lovers that she was returned to us. I will always be grateful to those people, and I've since wanted a chance to pay it forward for another lost dog. Well two weeks ago, I finally had my chance. Sort of.

I was driving home from work when I saw a beautiful dog prancing through oncoming traffic. I immediately jumped out and ran after it. Luckily it still had it's leash on dragging behind it so it wasn't too hard to catch. Buddy (as we called him) was an especially friendly dog, but big and full of energy. Bret had to come help me get him in the car and back to our place. Here he is in the back of our car.

He had a collar and leash on but no tags for identification. We tried calling the humane society hoping that they could help us find his owners but they were closing and asked if we could we keep him overnight. Sure, why not? I bought him some food and treats and he seemed to be happy, but it soon became apparent that buddy was not an inside dog.


Here he is playing with Bret (not attacking him)

We decided to leave him in a gated backyard behind a home where three couples in our ward lived. We had plans with friends for dinner so we said goodbye to Buddy and planned on picking him up when we got back so he could stay the night inside with us. When we got back, Buddy was gone.

Either he got out somehow or someone let him out (we're a little skeptical of a bitter old lad that lives near by). We were both crushed and drove around the whole neighborhood frantically looking for Buddy. No sign of him. Not only was I disappointed not to be able to return him home to the family that loved him, but we had really come to love him too.

Bret and I often wonder what Buddy could be doing or where he is now. I like to imagine that he's on an epic journey home and that we were simply a chapter in his grand adventure back (see movies below). At least we were able to give him a little food and some love. Good luck Buddy, wherever you are.


The moral of this sad story: put tags on your dogs.