I drove over to Charlie’s Truck Stop this past week to fill up with gas and to visit with Mister Johnson. Jake was busy with a customer when I drove up, so I put in the gas myself. I enjoy having the gas put into the tank for me. After all, if I’m going to pay for the stuff I don’t want to have to do all the work, too. But I know how to pump gas and it doesn’t hurt me to get it myself on occasion.
I went inside where Jake was bagging up groceries for Lisa Hall. Lisa is a right pretty young lady who always takes the trouble to dress up whenever she goes out. It’s right pleasant to see a woman who takes some pride in her appearance. I see more women, and men for that matter, who look like they just crawled out of bed, pulled on the first thing within reach and went out in the public world. As I said, it’s a real pleasure to see a woman like Lisa who takes some pride in her appearance. I spoke to Lisa as I went past and she turned to me, “Didn’t I see a new resident at your place this morning as I drove past?”
At first I did not catch what she was talking about. She laughed and said the new resident seemed to have taken possession of the place right sudden like. He barked at Lisa as she slowed down to get a better look. I’m a bit slow sometime, but I catch on eventually. “What’s his name?” Lisa asked. “It is a male, isn't it?” It is definitely a male and it definitely belongs to someone, or at least it has belonged recently. He was waiting for me this past Wednesday evening when I came in from visiting a client. I did not notice at first as the dog was parked on the bench that sits on the lower porch. I come in the front so the lower porch is not visible. I had pulled out the vacuum and was cleaning up the bedroom when I heard a strange sound outside the window. The sound was not so loud and I first thought my two cats were making the noise as they ate dinner, almost like a plastic food dish scraping the concrete floor.
Then again it did not sound exactly like a food dish scraping and I looked out the window. There sat this dog all at home on the outdoor cushions I have on the metal yard bench. He is almost white all over with rust coloring on his head and small spots scattered over his body. He is a short haired part hound and ghod only knows part what else. He was wearing a dark green collar of recent vintage. He was friendly and well fed, not like he had been on his own very long. When I walked outside he came bounding up just so happy to be here. I had thought he might be female as some people hereabouts are of a habit of abandoning females, but this dog is very obviously male. I began to have doubts he had been abandoned and went over to my nearest neighbors to inquire if they knew to whom he might belong.
Truth is I was not in the market for a dog. I have been with a dog recently, but he came up missing and I was thinking my two cats are enough wildlife for one man. I knocked on the door and asked the neighbor if they had any idea who might be missing a dog. The answer was a most definite “No!” It was beginning to appear I had found a new friend. I left word that if anyone came looking for a lost dog, he might come in my direction. I had the idea my new friend was not going to be wandering off. He followed me back home and I decided I would do the one thing you are never to do for a stray dog. I found some dog food left over from my previous dog and filled a doggy bowl with about half of what I had in supply. I put the bowl down on the front step and my new friend looked at it suspiciously. Obviously not the brand to which he was accustomed. Also obviously he was not to the point of near starvation. On the other hand, he was definitely hungry and, after a few hesitant samples, he dug in with measured gusto.
Alright, Mutt, I thought as I went back inside. As it grew darker I looked out from time to time to see he was still about. He seemed to like the idea of making a bed under my car. A couple times I went out and he came to meet me from the car. He is a polite dog. He has never attempted to follow me into the house and he does not jump up on me with his front paws. He accepts a pat on the head readily enough, but he seems hesitant as though he has been hit recently and is not sure if you plan to pat him or hit him.
As Lisa said, he has become territorial very quickly. Wednesday night was supposed to be a total eclipse of the moon. It may in fact have been, but it was not visible at my house. I was blessed with solid overcast. In any event, I went outside just in case about ten o’clock and later near midnight. Mutt met me both times and was happy for the attention I gave him. At the midnight outing something must have stirred in the woods because he was suddenly off into the darkness. I heard some barking and growling along with the rustle of brush. Presently Mutt came prancing back just so proud of himself. He had guarded the manor from dangerous intruders. I praised him for his courage and made over him to let him know I was pleased with his guardian inclinations. He seemed happy I was pleased with him.
It is beginning to look as though I have a new mouth to feed and a new vet bill. I’ll have to take him and get him checked over in a few days. Of course, his previous owner may show up to claim him in which case I shall be happy to see him returned to his proper home. After all, I know the feeling of having a beloved pet come up missing. Mutt, under a previous name, might be the favorite playfriend of a small child who is crying itself to sleep at night over the missing of their best dog. On the other hand, if the previous owner comes for Mutt and takes him away, there is suddenly going to be a vacant spot in my life where my new friend visited briefly.
END
