Lost Dogs and the Kindness of Strangers

Once upon a time, I moved from South Bellingham into my Grandma Helen's house in North Tacoma. She was recently widowed and very much needed the company. I was seriously low on funds and needed a place to stay while I found a teaching job and got my feet underneath me. 

I was running along the paths of the Tacoma Point Defiance Park with my two dogs off leash. (This story is one reason why I always keep my dogs on a leash now.)

Cheyenne, me, and Susie, the best ever Rottweiler, on a different trail before Ani came into my life

A deer crossed our path and Cheyenne the Black Lab was gone in a flash. She didn't even hesitate. 

The Fastest Deer Chaser Ever holding a sit for the photo

Ani the Dalmatian was out of my reach but did pause. He looked towards Cheyenne and then back at me with something like an apology in his eyes before he galloped awkwardly after Chey. He never was super coordinated and forever had the look of a teenager who hasn't grown into his limbs yet.

Ani the Absolute Clown

I called and called and walked the trail looking for them, a little nervous about being alone in that park without my dogs. When I was a young teen, a girl was abducted and killed around 5 Mile Drive. The fear of that still lingered at times, and I could hear my parents' worry in my ears. I wished I knew someone who could come help me search but I didn't yet have friends like that in the Tacoma area. All of my animal friends were way up north. It was a sad feeling. 

It also started to rain. Hard. 

I made my way back to my car and began driving along the roads, calling out to them. It started to get dark too. Finally, I went to Anthony's Restaurant on the edge of the park to ask desperately if anyone knew what I could do to find my dogs. The staff were sympathetic and told me that the gates would close soon but I could check with the police officers at the entrance to see if they had found any dogs. 

When I got to the gate, the officers in their two cars looked at one another and then told me to follow them in their patrol cars. We drove the wrong way on the road and back up to Camp 6, a place with old railroad cars from the days of logging in Tacoma. There my dogs stood, huddled together all wet and glad to see me as if they'd been wondering where I'd gone. 

I'm sure the officers only saw Ani with his bright white coat because Cheyenne was invisible in the dark rainy night, so I suppose it was a good thing he gave chase too. We were all so very glad to see one another and I was tremendously grateful to those who had helped. I can still feel that gratitude now, long after those two canines have passed away. 

I sometimes wonder if the police officers and restaurant workers remember me and my dogs. I rather doubt it. But the good they did sure mattered.

I wish you a day full of the kindness of strangers. A day full of kindness from you to others and also full of the kindness from others to you.

Cheyenne and me in a quieter moment