Deep Thoughts While Stuck in Traffic

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

As I drove in heavy traffic through town in a REALLY BAD neighborhood today I saw what looked like a medium doodle of about 38-40lbs.  Tail was shorter, so maybe a poodle mix? Beautiful red/apricot shaded colors. This poor red dog look scruffy like maybe someone had done a really bad scissor cut ( but I've done that a few times to my doodles)  It's weight was good and other than that, was it just a bad hair cut?  A really BAD hair cut. Certainly they did not own a Les Pooche Brush!   I saw it running and chasing kids in the dirt which was all the tiny front yard offered.

My first thoughts, OH MY GOODNESS, I'm going to save that dog from hell.  I wanted to jump out of my car and rescue it right then. But it was happy in its run with the children, I certainly would get caught or worse yet, shot in my attempt to dognap, and in traffic I traveled on my way.

Well later I was called back to travel once again across town.  Taking the same route I saw the same dog in the lap and arms of a young girl who looked about 11 years old.  They were just sitting on the sidewalk talking with other children.  The dog all cuddled between her.

So what does it take to be a good dog owner I thought to myself?  These people obviously had NO MONEY, a battered home, a yard of dirt, and too many children IMO.

But this dog, that I wanted to rescue from hell, at least from my second view seemed happy to romp with these children on a busy street, in the dirt and on the sidewalk with them.

It was held and cuddled and played!

If I were to rescue it from what I thought was hell,  would that make it happy?   Would it like to live with this old lady?   Would it think a cushy bed, a fenced in yard, prime food, good vet care, a great car to ride in would be better?

How dare I think that this is what makes a dog's life good.   How dare I think I can offer better? 

Maybe just too much traffic and driving for me today?

[Huskins & Cheryl]

Very moving, I see stuff like this all the time in my little hick town. Hehee! The reality is that the dog probably is happier. I think this same story fits for people too!

[Rose Ann and Amante]

LOVE LOVE LOVE what else do we need! Great blog!! Makes you think what is really necessary!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks for posting this Joanne! I read it yesterday and having been pondering it SINCE! I am currently in a situation where I am tempted to puppynap my neighbors 4 month old Dachshund because they use certain training methods on her that I SOOOOO do not agree with!!!!  I know they love her dearly though and she loves them too. Sooooo, I am postponing the puppynapping for now... :)

[Donna K & Quincy]

If there is love, everything else is just window dressing. Joanne, you are a wise woman.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Just like with people - dog families and love come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, etc.  As a special education teacher I used to do home visits, often to homes in the "less desirable" area of town.  Some were run down on the outside, but neat as a pin inside and clearly filled with love.

[Anna and Achilles]

Very Sweet Joanne!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Last year I taught two afternoons a week at our inner city school.  There was a dog tied up in a front yard that I saw most days.  I felt horrible for it - and it was a smaller poodle mix. I wondered if these poor people would groom it - or even know it needed grooming. I wondered why it was tied up when they had a fence with a gate that was always open.  I worried and fretted for most of the year until I noticed that it was waiting to greet students walking home from school.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Wow Joanne, you told a good story, I can picture you driving by and thinking about a rescue and then driving by again and realizing that things don't matter. How awesome that you got to see first hand that life can be sweet anywhere if you are loved.

[Kyoko]

Sitting in a car or long time makes you think!!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I think we need to take this perspective and then apply it to our own lives, to our children and grandchildren.  Excess does not a better person make.  Having the "it" sneakers don't get you any further in life.  Great lesson - thanks for sharing.