Willow Oak

[Willow Oak]

WO - please read Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

And Please See "Pay It Forward"

I have read a synopsis of the book. You are thinking about the episode I related regarding Princess and the other dog I turned loose. You are telling me that perhaps if I did not have those haunting memories I might not be driven to save animals the way I do today. Did I get the message you were sending?

Thanks.

[Willow Oak]

The weather [I mean climate] in North Mississippi is pretty temperate, but early springtime can be quite cool, and it was on one of these days that I decided to take a drive in the countryside. I had already begun to collect cats, and by this time Bonnie had come to live with me. Even today in Mississippi we have those old, rickety wooden bridges that cross lonely creeks with names like Tallahatchie and Tuscumbia. On my drive I came upon a small but steep creek and slowed as I crossed the bridge. With my window down I drank in the fresh air and listened to the chatter of birds among the trees. This is the time of year when birds are hatching in their hundreds and whole trees come alive with their noise. Sometimes the chirp of a bird can sound like the yelp of a puppy, don't you think? And for some reason I found myself thinking this as I heard the sharp chirping of a bird coming from a direction that would place the bird under the bridge, not up in the trees.

It was without reluctance that I stopped on the bridge and exited the car. I went to the side of the bridge, which had no railing, and peered the 20 feet or so to the rushing water of the creek below. To my surprise I was looking directly at a fully grown dog lying on a ledge about halfway down. That wasn't the puppy I thought I heard, so where did the crying come from? Of course, I was curious about the dog, but what to do? I am just out for a relaxing drive, I am not exactly jumping for joy at having to deal with this. But, what could I do? The climb down was steep, almost vertical, but there were many crags and crevices to aid in footing, so down I went.

When rescuing a stray animal you always have to take into consideration the health of the animal involved. We still have rabies in this country, and dogs are especially vulnerable. This dog was very lethargic and not at all moving, so what was I going to do here? I got down to near where the dog was and stopped and looked about. I didn't see any other animals. The dog observed me but showed no anxiety as I approached. After several minutes of wondering what to do I made my decision. I knelt beside the dog and placed my hands on the ground immediately adjacent. She didn't move. Then I just went for it. I shoved my arms underneath the dog and lifted her out. It took a while, and the journey out of the ditch was precarious, but eventually I delivered her to the back seat of my car.

After that I returned to the side of the bridge for one last look. It was then that I heard the noise again. Surely there is a puppy down there somehwere, I said to myself. Boy I did not want to have to descend to the bottom of this ditch, but there is no mistaking that sound. So, reluctantly I began my descent. I went all the way to the bottom. On my way down I said to myself that I reminded myself of Steve Irwin. Anyways, on the bottom down near the water I could not hear the noise I had heard earlier. There was trash down there. Someone had thrown away some plywood and other such building materials. I kicked at a piece of plywood, and immediately a yelping started up. There was a puppy, no older than four or five weeks, maybe barely weaned, wedged underneath. I was able to scoop him up, and made the ascent out of the ditch. Another long climb, and I delivered the pup to what I presumed was its mother.

Of course, the expedient thing to do at that time would be jump in my car and head home. Even though it was early spring it was still cold outside, and I was starting to feel it. But, I had to take one more look. Yes, I could still hear a puppy somewhere, so down I went. I found another puppy after walking a ways down the creek. This one was on the other side of the creek -- joy, joy. So I jumped the six to eight feet to the other side, then back up the steep incline and to my car.

In all I would descend to the bottom of the creek six times. Five puppies I would retrieve, and in the end I would find another adult female, which turned out to be the mother. The first dog evidently was familiar with the family, but she was not the mother. The whole crew would be delivered to the local animal shelter.

I had an opportunity to revisit the shelter a few weeks later. While I was there the manager of the shelter related to me that all of the puppies had survived and had been adopted. That was certainly gratifying news. The puppies' mother had also been adopted, also good news.

And what of the first dog that I had rescued? Although she didn't look like much on that day when I carried her in my arms up the steep incline of that ditch, she transformed herself into a bubbly, bouncing, barking, and gorgeous long-haired laborador retriever, and she too had been adopted. She was adopted by a Search and Rescue team from an adjacent state.

Now she is out rescuing humans.

[Randi]

I meant to reply before, but then something came up, and when I returned to this thread, there was another exiting tale to read.

Wow, what amazing stories! You have saved a lot of lives, and you have every reason to be proud of yourself! You know the meaning of "patience" - that is of course what's needed to rescue animals.

Your story about Buddy reminded me very much of how Fister came to live with us (John and I). It had to be on Fister's conditions, or not at all! I still have Fister, who is now 12 years old, but unfortunately not John.

I'm so glad you were in the hospital at the right time and all is well now - it really would have been unfair to all your furbabies, had you departed, and of course, you're not nearly old enough for that!

As others have mentioned, you should get a book published about your rescue work - you really write well!

I wish you all the best of luck and hope you'll keep the good work up! Give all your furbabies some scritches from me - Fister sends headbumpies.

[jazzcat]

I just now found this thread. What amazing stories you have and you tell them so well.

You have such a kind heart, I'm glad you got it fixed.

[Emeraldgreen]

I hadn't read any more of your posts after #14 until today and now I'm all caught up! Quite literally.

Your comment below really got me thinking.

I hope that someday I do stand before God. And above all else I want God to give me exactly what's coming to me. I don't want mercy. I want to pay for my crimes. I hope God does not consign me to burn for eternity, but I do want to do some sort of penance. I want something else. I want an opportunity to see and apologize to Princess and the other puppy. I want to tell them that I am sorry for what I did. I imagine in my mind that if that opportunity presents itself that I shall hear something like, "Gee, I don't remember." And if and when I do, then among God's creatures, those two precious ones will have proved themselves to be bigger and better than I.

I don't think a fiery eternity is in anywhere in your future. It seems to me that God began to offer you the chance to do penance right here on earth with every creature that appeared to you 'in the middle of nowhere'. The image of snow white Buddy in the forest is nothing short of magical. And as I read your stories I began to think of each animal that crossed your path as an angel sent to you in a broken state but in the end, they were the ones that would heal you. I don't believe in coincidence and I think each and every animal that you reached out to was a gift from God and perhaps from Princess and the puppy.

You didn't have to choose this path of caring or to open your heart up to these animals but you did and it seems like your reward is great with all of the unconditional love you receive from these wonderful beings.
Of course, they too are on the receiving end at a second chance at life and companionship and love. They are lovely stories of reciprocal healing.

I was particularily struck by the story of your heart condition and the manner in which you were saved. The mere moments that were a deciding factor in your living or dying immediately made me think of big, beautiful Sam. He too only had a few seconds that would decide if he would go on to live or not but you followed your heart and you guys are together and well. I think God returned the favour back on June 23rd.

Sharing your stories benefits us all because there is much to be learned through your trials. From them, I remember that I should trust my instincts, follow my heart and love with abandon. Thank you.

[Willow Oak]

Sharing your stories benefits us all because there is much to be learned through your trials. From them, I remember that I should trust my instincts, follow my heart and love with abandon. Thank you.

Thanks for all of the responses. I had never thought of any of my experiences as "trials." I know you didn't intend that in a negative way, but having read so many posts on this forum I have come to realize how truly devoted so many people are to their animal friends. I'm quite sure that there are many similar stories to tell among the Pet Talker faithful.

This particular post touched me in a different way however. I had no idea that anything I would write would have such an effect on someone. For me it has been purely a therapeutic excercise. I have read many more posts than I have written, and I have cried many times while reading some of them. I especially like to read those eulogies written by someone who has recently lost a dear friend. Those posts do help to assuage my own grief so.

As far as a book, wouldn't it be nice if someone with real writing skills would compile the best stories from Pet Talker into some sort of anthology? Just a thought.

As for me I am still trying to work up the courage to write about Yella Fella and Goldie, and their mother and her friend.

[Catty1]

As for me I am still trying to work up the courage to write about Yella Fella and Goldie, and their mother and her friend.

You know us on PT a bit by now...you know it is safe to share that story.

No, sharing it sadly won't change the outcome - but will free you.

{{{hugs}}}

[mruffruff]

Nothing wrong with YOUR writing skills. A book of your tales would be wonderful. I get LES every time I read one.

There are many great stories here at Pet Talk. Some of them are written better than others, but they are all good reading. Should someone compile them, we would have a book of short stories all ready to publish!

If you keep them coming, we'll keep reading. They are stories of compassion and love.