You've Got A Heart!

By Talo Segura

Sat, 01 Feb 2020
  • 633 reads
6 comments
 

 

     He couldn't talk, but - oh man! - he was clever, intelligent. Maybe even telepathic. 

     The rain was coming down in sheets, the wipers swiping across the glass like crazy lunatics swinging their arms in the air as if they could bat the rain away. No doubt if they were newer or better quality, I might have been able to actually see something on the road ahead.
     He jumped out of the forest. Straight into the road. 
     "Break!"
     "Oh shit!"
     I hit the break, swerved, and carried on. I'd seen him in time, I wasn't anywhere near to hitting him. 
     But next time?
     "What was that?"
     "A dog."
     I watched him in the rear mirror through the rain. He returned my gaze, looking on as I drove away. The odd thing was, I knew what he wanted. What he hoped for. That was the strangest connection. Like he was really sad to see me go.
     "Turn around."
     "Yeah, okay, but not here. It's too dangerous. I got to find somewhere."
     The road snaked downhill through the forest, turning left and right. Two tracks and maybe half a mile before I could make a U turn.
     "Quick! There's another car coming."
     I could see the lights through the torrent of water. I had to return. I knew he'd be waiting and that it was dangerous. A little dog on a road where people drove fast. 
     Heading back up the hill. Slowly. Swinging around the bend. Past the tracks. Staring through the windscreen, scanning left and right. A glance in the mirror. That car was right up my rear now, but I had to go slow. Where was he?
     "There!"
     On the other side of road. 
     Hazard lights. 
     Reach, fumble, check, flick the button.
     The car behind stopped. I'm out the door and the dog is at the car before I can cross. The car behind pulls out and overtakes in a hurry.
     Those are the eyes of an old boy. He's soaking wet. It's been pouring down, all night and all morning. He looks at me. I know he's lost, probably been out all night. Then waiting at the side of the road, hidden in the undergrowth. But leaping out could have got him killed. Maybe he thought it was his only chance.
     Curly brown hair formed a wet mat on his body, long floppy ears, a cocker. He was too little to jump into the back of the van, I had to pick him up. Nothing to him. Light. A quiet, gentle, and very lovable old boy.
     "What now?"
     "I'll take him to the vet. Check if he has a chip. But somehow, I doubt it."
     "Yeah, no collar."
     Old boy jumped up trying to look out the window. Otherwise, apart from the occasion little whimper, he was quiet as a mouse.
     "It's twenty miles to town. Better put your foot down."
     "He's a dog, not a sack of potatoes. I need to go slow round the bends."
     "We won't get there before they close."
     "Yeah, we will."
     My heart was hoping this would work out. At least he was warm now. It was cold out there.
     We made it in time. 
     No chip. What now?
     I know the lady vet and the receptionist. They aren't supposed to keep lost animals, but I pleaded old boy's case. No way could we get back to the town hall before they closed for lunch. You see in France, stray dogs are the responsibility of the mayor in the commune where they were found. Only he or she can call the SPA to pick up the dog.
     They waived the rules. Said they would contact the mayor's office at two o'clock, when they opened.
     "Goodbye, old boy."
 
▪ ▪ ▪
 
     "The phone's ringing!"
     It was five thirty, we'd been out all day. I have to be honest, I hadn't thought about old boy. Not until I listened to the lady who called. I left my details and number with the vet. He'd been lost since yesterday. They'd searched half the day, but couldn't find him. She'd left the gate open. He'd gone off after something or other. Lucky thing was, her daughter works at the town hall. Old boy was fifteen years old. 
     She was so happy to get him back. 
     I'm still not sure old boy isn't telepathic. Whether he is or not, he's back home after a wet night out, roughing it in the forest. But like I said, old boy's not stupid. Adventurous, clever, not stupid. Proof is... he's home. I think he's incredible. I only knew him for half an hour or so, but... I won't forget him. You wouldn't either, not if you've got a heart!
 
《《《 --- 》》》
 
Certificate U
Story
Short Stories
Other Non-fiction

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

What a lovely story, and well done for rescuing him. Is that an actual picture of him?

 

Submitted by Talo Segura on

Not an actual picture of him (I was too pre-occupied with getting him to the vet), but it looks very much like him, same colour. Only difference, he was soaking wet with bits of vegetation in his matted hair. 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

poor thing - we he has you to thank for being brought to safety! It is a copyright free image though, right?

 

Submitted by Talo Segura on

Images I use (including this one) are from Pixabay.com they are copyright free for commercial and non-commercial use, may be edited, and no attribution is required. Occasionally I might use other sources, but with the same licence, CC0.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Brilliant - thanks!

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Thank Goodness you had the kindness to go back! Enjoyed your happy ending story very much, inspiring