When I moved to the Sierra Nevada mountains in 1993, the cabin just below me wasn’t yet occupied. Open for touring, the home, quite frankly, smelled of cat piss and dog feces. I opted against the house. A short time later a husband, wife and daughter moved in. The ripped the carpets out immediately. They were of a type wherein, early on, I waved to them when I saw them pass my house, in town, or as we passed in cars. They never waved back. I figured: so be it. The husband and wife separated for a time then, about a year later, she came back. They’d been together now for about four years.
A week ago, I noticed the man’s white Chevy Blazer was gone. I’d believed him to be retired from CalTrans but thought: maybe he’s back working for CalTrans, or on an assignment.
Yesterday I checked for my mail at the post office. A small piece of paper was tacked to a wall, indicating that he had passed away at a care home in a larger town below mine, on March 11th, at the relatively young age of 64. I saw his photo. Yes, it was the man whose white Chevy Blazer had never returned. I’d seen him about a week prior, then he and the truck were gone.
He had a blonde-colored dog named Katy. She never warmed up to me at all, was very wary of any strangers, but protected their property well. Despite his not being able to easily walk, he was out every day throwing a ball to Katy. She was clearly his dog. His truck would come down the street and she would magically appear to greet him. She never liked me but, despite that, I could tell that she was a very good dog. She did her job. She played, she fetched, she loved her master.
I finally understood. That is her photo above. She waits in the street, attentive. Waiting for the white Chevy Blazer, and her master. She’s been alternately laying and pacing for days now, her gaze fixed up the street.
Neither shall ever return.
She is a very good dog. I feel sad.
BZ
How does the old saying go? the more I get to know people, the better I like dogs.
sumthin like that. I think Dogs could teach people a thing or two about loyalty.
That’s a sad story, but strangely warms the heart, don’t it?
My two best friends are my two dogs.
That dog will likely grieve itself to death, animals KNOW…
Very sad,indeed. I hope she can bond/find comfort with someone else.
I’ll have you know, folks, that I’m not giving up. I’ve since purchased a bag of dog treats and one dad I’m going to get her to take a treat from my hand. I’ll let you know if/when that happens.
BZ
Take bandages.
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Hey BZ-
When I read your post, I thought this is your chance to bond with this dog. If there is a Trader Joe’s near you, they have a great peanut butter treat for dogs. I use them to train my blue eyed siberian husky. All I have to do is pick up the bag and she goes crazy.
DK
How sad!!
Great post. That is sad, but Dogs are awesome! Some day we will get one when we are ready.
If you like dogs, then you will love this story. It actually took place and their’s a statue of the dog on the gournds of the Johnson County Court House in Warrensburg, Missouri.
http://www.warrensburg.org/drum.htm
BobF
BobF: thanks for the link, sir!
BZ
I see by one of your comments in this threat, BZ, that you are going to attempt to bond with the dog and thereby save it. I’m so glad to hear it! I hate to think of that poor animal pining away for his master who will never return. It breaks my heart. Please let us know right away if you are successful. That’s a beautiful dog!
Well, the dog doesn’t really need “saving” per se; the wife still lives in the house, she hasn’t left. But clearly the dog didn’t bond much with her, so therefore I’m going to see if I can perhaps win the dog over with some occasional treats. She’s still a very good dog. If the wife no longer wants the dog, then I believe I shall volunteer.
BZ