[Dailydrool] tissue alert

[Helena Poist]

I found your dog today.  THIS IS VERY SAD.... and TOO TRUE

No, he has not been adopted by anyone.  Most of us who live out here own
as many dogs as we want; those who do not own dogs do so because they
choose not to.  I know you hoped he would find a good home when you left
him out here, but he did not. When I first saw him he was miles from the
nearest house and he was alone, thirsty, thin and limping from a burr in
his paw.

How I wish I could have been you as I stood before him.  To see his tail
wag and his eyes brighten as he bounded into your arms, knowing you
would find him, knowing you had not forgotten him.  To see the
forgiveness in his eyes for the suffering and pain he had known in his
never-ending quest to find you... but I was not you. And despite all my
persuasion, his eyes see a stranger.  He did not trust.  He would not
come.  He turned and continued his journey; one he was sure would bring
him to you.

He does not understand you are not looking for him.  He only knows you
are not there, he only knows he must find you.  This is more important
than food or water or the stranger who can give him these things.
Persuasion and pursuit seemed futile.

I did not even know his name.  I drove home, filled a bucket with water
and a bowl with food and returned to where we had met.  I could see no
sign of him, but I left my offering under the tree where he had sought
shelter from the sun and a chance to rest.

You see, he is not of the desert.  When you domesticated him, you took
away any instinct of survival out here.  His purpose demands that he
travel during the day. He doesn't know that the sun and heat will claim
his life.  He only knows that he has to find you.

I waited hoping he would return to the tree; hoping my gift would build
an element of trust so I might bring him home, remove the burr from his
paw, give him a cool place to lie and help him understand that the part
of his life with you is now over.  He did not return that morning and at
dusk the water and food were still there untouched.  And I worried.  You
must understand that many people would not attempt to help your dog.
Some would run him off, others would call the county and the fate you
thought you saved him from would be preempted by his suffering for days
without food or water.  I returned again before dark.  I did not see
him.  I went again early the next morning only to find the food and
water still untouched.  If only you were here to call his name.  Your
voice is so familiar to him.

I began pursuit in the direction he had taken yesterday, doubt
overshadowing my hope of finding him.  His search for you was desperate;
it could take him many miles in 24 hours.  It is hours later and a good
distance from where we first met, but I have found your dog.

His thirst has stopped; it is no longer a torment to him.  His hunger
has disappeared, he no longer aches.  The burrs in his paws bother him
no more.  Your dog has been set free from his burdens; you see, your dog
has died.  I kneel next to him and I curse you for not being here
yesterday so I could see the glow, if just for a moment, in those now
vacant eyes.  I pray that his journey has taken him to that place I
think you hoped he would find.

If only you knew what he went through to reach it... and I agonize, for
I know, that were he to awaken at this moment, and if I were to be you,
his eyes would sparkle with recognition and his tail would wag with
forgiveness.




- - Author unknown

 

 

 

Helena Poist

Proplanner

2321 North Loop Drive

Ames, IA 50010

helena at proplanner.com

515-296-7526

fax: 515-296-3229

http://www.proplanner.com

 

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