Out & About

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Yesterday, after work, I hurried to an adjoining city to pick up my prepared income tax forms. Then, I rushed home to pick up my Rottie-X, Chase. He had spent the day waiting for me in a standalone, escape-proof kennel. I intended to take him to Costco, have him stay in the Jeep until I returned from shopping, and learn not to leap from an open cargo that’s being loaded. That was asking quite a bit from this young dog; he rarely goes anywhere with me.

Chase has turned two years old. He has spent his life mostly on my property and sometimes runs freely in a BLM with my other dogs. That’s all good, but he needs more outer-world experience teaching him to be comfortable while out, especially with other humans.

I left him in the Jeep and entered Costco with a quick list, and unsurprisingly, my rapid shopping plan failed. I spent an hour in the store before pushing my loaded cart to the Jeep. There, I didn’t see Chase waiting, and looking inside, still not seeing him, I panicked. How could he have escaped!

Suddenly, a woman beside me smiled and said, “Hello.” Assuming she was a Costco employee, I said, “My dog somehow got out of this car!” Suddenly, turning and seeing Chase in the Jeep, I understood he’d been on the front seat’s floor.

The woman said, “I came to help with unloading your cart,” and gestured, “all those look heavy.” I shook my head, “Thanks, but I can do it.” She ignored me, reached for the heaviest box, and said, “Open the cargo.” I did that and she continued, lifting and loading faster than I could help.

Meanwhile, Chase stayed in the cargo, not threatening her but trembling mightily in the unusual situation. All did go well, and to his credit, he didn’t attempt to escape. Finally, on finishing, the woman turned to me, “Will you have help with unloading?” and watched doubtfully as I said, “I’ll be okay doing that.”

Then, she said, “My mom is ninety-three years old and still insists on doing things herself. I saw you with that loaded cart and just wanted to help.” I nodded, really having welcomed her act of kindness, and now thanked her.

At home, I unloaded and thought about her and also about a young man who had been shopping inside Costco. He saw me starting to wrestle with a bag of dog kibble, came to my rescue, lifted the bag easily, and placed it perfectly on my cart.

Two good samaritans. I felt appreciated and old; one forgets one is old. That’s another topic, for someday.

And my Chase, too. That good boy waited, tolerated a stranger’s pushy presence, and didn’t try to jump from an open cargo. Having him with me is making this pup more special. If only–if only, he’d outgrow his high leaping and quit doing his deep digging.

Dear Friends: A planned day with pleasant surprises and good outcomes. Diana