Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM

The Tale of the Escaped Dog, but Not Really About the Dog

A brunch was interrupted this morning as a black and white heeler mix came bounding toward us this morning as we got into the car. Excited, playful, skittish, certainly friendly - we waylaid him long enough to get a phone number off of his collar, and then off he ran, not comfortable with being caught quite yet. We followed the dog to the Ridgecrest drive median and that's where the story begins.

But lest ye think this is the typical escaped-dog-in-Ridgecrest story, think again. For this isn't the story of the dog, but of all the people today who helped him get back home.

The Driver - turned around to try to catch the dog before she saw us corral him.

The Runner - as he ran down Ridgecrest drive, he joined us as we tried a second time to convince the dog we weren't going to hurt it. It was the runner who prevented the dog from a showdown with a leashed dog walking down Ridgecrest Dr.

The Neighbor - when we finally found the dog for the third time, and calmed him down enough to stay with us, we wound up in The Neighbor's yard. Once he verified we weren't his visitors from Santa Fe, he came out to check on us and lent us a leash to help keep the dog with us.

The Walker - he came by while we were hanging in The Neighbor's yard and said hi, but more about him later.

The Dog-Walkers - kind enough to change their dog-walking route so as not to freak out a scared pup.

The Rescuer - a PACA volunteer, she was the former foster mom of the dog, and her information was currently on the collar. Unable to reach the adoptive parents of the pup, The Rescuer came down from the far northeast heights to pick up her fosterling.

As many people do, the Rescuer got a little turned around in Ridgecrest, and this is where The Walker re-enters our tale. As The Rescuer pulled up to pick up the dog, The Walker gets out of the back seat. Turns out The Rescuer had asked him for directions and he hopped in the car and led them right to us.

And with that, we returned the dog, Titus, to his foster mother. We continued on with our day, but not before remarking at the kindness, generosity and plain old human decency of a group of strangers starting their Sunday morning.

We feel lucky to live in such a neighborhood, and such a town, as this.

Comment by ABQSkippy on January 11, 2009 at 7:59pm: What a wonderful tale.
I'm just glad that it had a happy ending. :-)

Comment by Sarahjmd on January 11, 2009 at 8:44pm: Now that Titus has all these new friend, I hope he doesn't break out again to find you all!

Comment by Laura on January 11, 2009 at 10:24pm: hey, he looks just like my dog!

Comment by Susan See on January 12, 2009 at 12:14am: Always nice to read something that is uplifting. You and the others scored some major Karma kudos today! *lol*

Comment by Luann Wolfe on January 12, 2009 at 9:23am: What a great story! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Comment by secret squirrel on January 12, 2009 at 9:36am: That was very sweet story. I'm a resident of ridgecrest, it's nice to know there's so many people around who would be so caring if my dog ever escaped.

Comment by cathyray on January 12, 2009 at 10:43am: what a cool happy ending. I still say most folks are good.

Comment by chantal on January 12, 2009 at 2:46pm: Home sweet home. I love this nibble of goodness in the 'hood. Thanks for posting!

Comment by Jenny Marie on January 13, 2009 at 6:05pm: Fantastic story, made me feel all warm and happy. I've rescued (or tried to rescue) several loose dogs in my downtown neighborhood, and this helps me feel like the ones who got away may have run into one of your characters...