I was meeting a young couple with two darling little kids last week to show them a house in Elk Grove. I got there a bit early and immediately noticed this frightened, tiny dog that dashed out from the backyard, saw me, and scurried back to wherever it had originally been hiding.
It was a foreclosure victim.
As impossible as it seems to me to simply abandon my pets, I know it’s not fair to judge other people. I have never lost my home (thankfully) and so I cannot say what, as a result of sheer desperation, I might be forced to do in such unimaginable circumstances. I am pretty sure, however, that I wouldn’t just leave my dog there to die.
This dog was going to die.
It was clear she was starving, scared to death, and had just run out at the sound of my car in hopes that her family had returned for her. How sad is that? (Note to self: wear waterproof mascara when showing foreclosed homes). When my clients arrived I told them about the dog, but it had hidden and was no where to be found.
Pretty soon, after we had looked at the inside of the house, I spotted the little rascal in the backyard. I showed my clients, and George, the husband and dad, mentioned that he had some chicken nuggets in the car that their little girl didn’t finish and went out to get them. He had to throw the nuggets as the dog wouldn’t come near us. Seeing her try and wrap her little tiny, starving mouth around something that was almost bigger then her was heart-breaking. But she got them, a couple at a time, and ran away.
It wasn’t too long until she appeared again. This time she came closer. George reached to pet her. Next the children petted her. Before too long, this little frightened, skinny dog was leaping and practically dancing in the air at all the attention, affection, and likely, the food that provided some much needed fuel.
I told them that she would die if we left her there and that I would at least take her to the SPCA or the pound, but that she sure seemed to make the children happy (I AM in sales, after all).
It was devastating to see that innocent victim–still waiting for her masters to return home. Knowing there are many other pets left for dead.
However, my faith in the human spirit was renewed as I watched that young family drive off with its newest member. The children were laughing and the little tail was wagging.
I’m not sure if there is any such thing as fate, but I do know that one little dog who was otherwise destined to die, is now well fed and surrounded by love and laughter.
Oh, and they bought the house.
My work here is done.
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