"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place."
-- Unknown
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Friday, August 28, 2009

My new hero


Ever since I rescued Maverick, people have been telling me that I’m his angel here on earth. But I think it might be the other way around. He might actually be MY angel. He most definitely came to my rescue last night when I was right on the verge of desperation.

I spent the majority of the evening cleaning my house, doing laundry and replacing light bulbs (I swear, every fixture in my house had at least one blown blub). By the time I finally stopped to catch my breath, I realized that it was after 10. I figured I’d let the dogs out, finish the dishes and get ready for bed. Of course, things NEVER go as planned.

Toby apparently thought it would be a terrific time for a late-night sprint – so before I could shut the gate behind him in the yard, he shot off down street. Now, if you’ve followed my blog for any time at all, you probably know that this isn’t such an uncommon occurrence. In fact, you’re probably wondering why I haven’t learned my lesson yet, or how the hell I keep letting that ignorant dog get away from me. Well – he’s MUCH quicker than you could ever imagine. Seriously – sometimes I don’t even realize he’s gone until he’s halfway down the block.

Maverick, being the wonderful dog that he is, only trotted to the edge of the yard and quickly came back as soon as I called after him. I put him in the backyard and shut the gate before I took off down the street after Toby.

After several minutes of running, he finally found a fenced in yard that looked inviting. I snuck in behind him and shut the gate, feeling better now that he was corralled in one area and not roaming along the highway. Unfortunately, the yard was huge and I kept worrying that the owners would eventually come out yelling (or shooting) at me for being on their property at such a late hour.

We literally ran circles around this yard for twenty minutes. I was sweating and tired and on the verge of tears. He played deaf and refused to come to me, no matter how many times I pleaded. I honestly thought very seriously about leaving a note on the door of this house telling the people that they were more than welcomed to keep the dog that was now penned up in their backyard.

Finally, exhausted and frustrated beyond belief, I sat down on the edge of a plastic slide, trying hard to keep my angry tears held inside. About that time, I heard a noise at the gate and I figured the owners had reached their breaking point and were coming to kick me out of their yard. Only when I looked up, I realized the noise had come from my new hero, Maverick. The little angel had managed to open the gate at our house and TRACK me two blocks down the road. He sat there patiently waiting for me to let him in this stranger’s yard. As soon as I did, Toby came up to us and I was finally able to pick him up and take his little miscreant butt home. Maverick led the way and was waiting at the door when Toby and I got there.

I curtly told Toby that I was ashamed of him, for what good that did. He has been treated so well and spoiled beyond belief for the past two years, yet every chance he gets, he runs off. Then there’s Maverick – the poor dog has never been properly trained, yet he minds so well. And not only does he not run away – he follows my scent over a quarter of a mile to find me and lead me home.

Maybe he can teach Toby a thing or two.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to meeting my new granddog...

M

septembermom said...

This story about Maverick reminds me of how my older son keeps an eye on his 3 year old cousin when he's in the yard. This 3 year old will dart off at a moment's notice, gratefully my son gets him back quickly. Maverick will be Toby's guardian too, I think. Glad that Toby was safe after all those shenanigans. You must have been tired!

Unknown said...

What a perfect ending to a very tiring and stressful situation for you. Could we love Maverick any more?

RileyScott said...

GO maverick the untrained wonder!

Kelly said...

Awww......Sometimes pets just know, ya know!!

Anonymous said...

Just goes to prove what I've always said. No good comes from cleaning. :)

Lacey said...

Oh, Heather... I haven't read your blog in a few days (since you got Maverick), and now that I'm catching up I'm... I'm... I'm just speechless! I'm so glad that you rescued that poor dog! You know how stupid I get over animals-- I think I might care more about dogs than I do about people half the time-- so reading your adventures over the past few days practically has me all teary-eyed with happiness. It's so infuriating when people abandon animals, or don't take care of the animals they have. Yes, they cost money, and yes, they need A LOT of attention, but do people really expect them NOT TO?!?! It makes me SO MAD!!! And your Toby sounds SO MUCH like my Evie... spoiled BRATS! :-)

You (AND your wonderful family) are T.R.A.S.H., my friend (you know what that means, right?!?!) and I love you for it!!!

scarlethue said...

Maverick loves you now-- he knows how blessed he is to have you in his life. He's claimed you.

I know about running dogs. When Bub was young, one morning before class (I was in college then) he got away from me, and I chased him for half an hour, ultimately missing class. I finally caught him about half a mile from my house. I was so angry, I was crying, and so tired and hot. He outgrew that, thank goodness. Terriers!

Sally's World said...

we get so attached to animals so quickly don't we, i'm glad it all worked out okay xxxx

Hinkley said...

It is so lovely to hear uplifting stories of animal rescues, honestly I feel like everytime I pick up a paper in the UK there is some horrid story about what some evil person has done to an animal. I think you're wonderful!! He does sound like a lovely loyal dog, which is shocking considering what he's been through.

Southern Dialogue said...

So sweet! I love dogs!!! Everyone needs a "Maverick" :)

Diane said...

That made me cry! How sweet is he?! He knows he's finally found someone who will love him and take care of him... so he's obliged (as dogs who know the dark side of life are) to reciprocate.

Greener Bangalore said...

Hi Thanks Heather...Its nice to hear that you are interested in listening different stories and culture!

H.K. said...

I wish I had a Maverick when my dog Heidi kept running away from me!

Everyone needs a Maverick!

Kimberly said...

What a cutie patootie!

Anonymous said...

well its good to know toby hasn't changed! maybe he just figured it was time for a lil exercise, or maybe he's jealous and was trying to lure maverick away? was in the office catching up on some reports and got tickled just thinking about you chasing toby, had to comment. 5510

Kim said...

Maverick sounds just precious! Judge my our old dog was exactly like Toby. I was constantly chasing him and looking like a complete idiot. Now Deaglan has me running the same way. At least you are getting the right training for motherhood:)

Dan Felstead said...

Heather...what a great story! It sounds like "motherhood" has you hopping! He sounds like a great dog though...kiss him for me and here's hopping you have a great Holiday weekend...

Dan

Jenners said...

Hey Girl--

Just easing back into blogland and enjoying hearing about your new little furry friend! I'm so happy he found you ... and you found him. What a sweet sweet dog!! I love that he found you and waited patiently for you to be with him. And some people .... ugh. I can't stand when people don't give animals the respect they deserve. I would have a hard time calling them "friends."

Unknown said...

i think the costume fits maverick to a tee! i too have a dog we rescued and he is the BEST! i don't think i would ever go back to puppyville for anything!

Alistair said...

Hi,
Found your blog by random hit of some button or other and have enjoyed your posts.

read this one, with Jess, one of our cats beside me. I thought it was a great post but she says your doggie would never have come looking for you if you had fed him before running off.

Thats cats for you.

Kind regards.....Al.