Monday, December 12, 2011

Christmas Story

A weary stranger on the road, seeking shelter and warmth and safety. It sounds like a Christmas story to me.


He was cold. Cold and very hungry, and so thirsty. The days were long and dangerous enough with all the honking cars, but the nights seemed to last forever. He didn't know where to go, but he knew he had to get away from those mad singing coyotes and the big owls hunting in the orchard. He wasn't sure how to deal with the huge roaring monster of a train that came through every few hours, and he had crossed the track several times.

But, oh, he was so cold and lost and afraid.

***

We live on a road that runs between two heavily traveled streets. Although our place in the orchard is fairly quiet, there is a railroad track about half a mile away.We first saw the little dog when we were on our way out to breakfast and were worried that he was so near the road, but then he headed off toward a fenced yard and we figured that he had just been out for a little stroll.

Many hours later, I spotted the little guy once again. This time he was outside our fence, visiting with our dogs. I was worried about the traffic, and enlisted Beez's help. Grabbing a package of string cheese, I went out to see if I could get him to come in to safety.

It took over an hour of signalling cars and trucks to slow down and go around, and calling softly to Beez for more cheese. We learned early on that he was frightened of people, but terrified of men; so Beez stayed way back. Remembering the lost pup's lack of fear of other dogs, I got Little Pete to help. That did the trick: The little wanderer came into the yard to see Pete and to get another bite of cheese, and Beez materialized behind us and closed the gate.

Little Pete is always willing to help out

People began arriving for supper. My sister almost wept when she realized that this was the same dog she had tried to call to safety two days before. She had been haunted by the thought of him out there on his own, but he had been too frightened to come near. Now he seemed to remember her voice.

My husband, that good Beez, spent another hour out in the yard, getting the little guy to trust him enough to come into the house before nightfall's below-freezing temperatures. This is the man who earlier had put together his rightly-famous white lasagna and got it into the oven, while still managing to work patiently with the little wildling. Our dozen dinner guests quietly cheered him on from the living room until he arrived with the cold, tired pup cradled in his arms.

Once inside, with access to plenty of food, water, warmth, and comfy laps, the terrified and exhausted little pup underwent a pretty amazing change. He asked Helen to lift him up and hold him. He snuggled right down and fell asleep, safe at last. He was sleeping so hard, that first Jeff and then Jean took over the pup-holding duties, and he didn't even stir.

Around the big table, we smiled at each other and talked quietly of Christmas miracles.



Safe at last

24 comments:

Jean (aka Auntie Bucksnort) said...

Such a happy ending for that adorable little pup!

Nancy said...

Your story brought a tear to my eye. I love the happy ending. How many pets do you have?

clairz said...

Oh, dear, Nancy--I don't really like to say. We have three hens and, err, several dogs and cats. We do NOT need any more dogs, but there are so many here that need rescuing. What's a person to do?

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

How sweet this little guy is and lucky too. You have done what needed to be done...just lovely. We have a "little piece of dog", a terrier mix, (I say that because we are St. Bernard people) that we rescued from a diesel truck repair shop. She shows us how lucky we and she are everyday with love. Merry Christmas from Casa de Cuckoo

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

What a wonderful Christmas story! I love it. Such a sweet little guy too. Thank you for the smile.

the7msn said...

Best Christmas story ever. There's always room at the inn for one more.

Sylvia K said...

The perfect Christmas story indeed! And what a sweet, frightened little guy! I'm so glad you and Beez found him and could help him. I love your photos! Hope all of you have a great day!

Sylvia

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a lovely miracle!

Sage said...

How wonderful of you to take in the puppy. Most of my foundlings have been either cats or horses but I have had several dogs that someone else found and couldn't care for so we took them. that includes the Border Collie we have now. We got Ziva our youngest from Albuquerque Animal Control when I saw her photo and couldn't resist. This year it was the two kittens. We, too, can't afford to take care of more - but you never know.

Paula said...

I have been without a dog for over a year now and kind of hope for something like your little miracle to show up at our house, but we live in a cul de sac, so it's not very likely. I'm really glad that he found a safe haven.

Margie's Musings said...

What awonderful story!

Mary Hulser said...

so very happy to finally be here for one of your stories!!

Nan said...

Lucky him, and lucky you! Adorable. Wish I could come over and hold him on my lap. Have you chosen a name?

Unknown said...

I came across your blog in a forum. My husband and i are moving there in january. what part of town is best to move it?

http:ryanandelizabethshideler.blogspot.com

elizabethshideler@yahoo.com

clairz said...

Ryan and Elizabeth, Las Cruces has different areas that meet different needs, depending on what you are looking for. There are areas on the mesa to the east with lots of new houses; Mesilla has a very historic feel as does the Mesquite Historical District; the Alameda District has some wonderful older adobe and adobe-like homes; the University district is close to all the activities that NMSU has to offer; we live north of town in an agricultural area; there are small towns to the south of town; and so on.

The Las Cruces part of the City Data Forum is probably required reading: http://www.city-data.com/forum/las-cruces/.

And, of course, you can start corresponding with a realtor, who can fill in some more blanks.

Welcome to southern New Mexico--I hope you like your new world!

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Awwww..poor little guy. Very cute pup! Will you keep him? He looks like he has settle in pretty well!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

What a puppy, we had a pup a year and a half ago who just come up in the driveway and never left.

Beth said...

What a wonderful and moving story, Clair. So glad the little fellow made his way to your house and that Little Pete and Beez were able to win his trust (with a little help from string cheese).

I look forward to hearing more about your sweet Christmas miracle pup.

Martha Z said...

A great Christmas story, Clair. There are way too many abused and abandoned pets. I'm glad this one had a happy ending.

becky said...

A very happy story for the little one!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

He's a really cute little guy. So glad the story had a happy ending!

Delia said...

I love the wire hair!!! I want to be a puppy in the Adobe house! Love to you all and welcome to our new sibling!

Kate said...

A terrifically heart-warming story. I love a household and its owners that have pets around! Lucky little pup!!

JC said...

Are you keeping this pup or finding him a new home ?