Yesterday I was sitting in my chair watching TV checking my mail on the computer when Roxy got a sudden burst of zoomies. She was leaping at me and running back and forth and trying to knock the computer mouse out of my hand. Clearly she was telling me she wanted to go for a walk. We rarely go for walks anymore. She is usually content to eat her dinner, go do an exploration lap of the backyard, potty, and then cuddle up at my feet for an evening nap. I even said to her, "Where is this puppy act coming from?"

I was happy to see her so energetic, so I got up and got her leash. She practically dragged me out the front door before I could snap her collar on. We went down the steps to the sidewalk and I turned to head to the right. Roxy put on the breaks- translation: planted her front feet, ducked her head and gave me the, "I'm not going that way" look. So I said, "Okay, where do you want to go?" She pulled me the other direction towards the neighbor's house on the left. We took a few steps and there was my down-the-street neighbor's little Pug! She was alone, collarless, and heading out toward the corner where there is a busy cross street. Roxy looked up at me as if to say, "It's about time you spotted her."

Sophie is her owner's most precious princess dog. She and her pug sister wear little matching coats when their daddy takes them for their walks through the neighborhood. They are never outside alone. I knew since I had Little Miss Put On The Brakes with me, I would have to figure out a way to get Sophie back home while keeping Roxy moving in the same direction.

Sophie is very skittish around other dogs and people, so she started backing toward the street when I bent over and reached for her. I immediately abandoned that plan and got Roxy behind her in an attempt to head her in the right direction. Thankfully Roxy was eager to follow Sophie and Sophie knew which way to go to get back home. Roxy happily trotted along behind Sophie keeping her in front of us. Just like a border collie herding sheep, Roxy sent Sophie right up her front steps onto her porch! Evidently Roxy knows where Sophie lives. Sophie pawed at her front door desperate to get in and away from me and my big scary bulldog. I rang the bell and Sophie's mommy opened the door very surprised to see her baby standing there. She had no idea Sophie was even missing. (Evidently Sophie had gone out in the yard to potty and found the side gate open.) Roxy loves all people and was happy to get pets and praise for her good deed.

As I left and turned to head on down the street to continue our walk, Roxy gave me her "I don't think so" look. She turned back toward our house abandoning the idea of going anywhere other than home. I guess all the excitement wore her out and she was done. We came back in the house and she went straight to her little bed for her evening nap.

Good deed done for the day~

No telling what would have happened to Sophie if Roxy hadn't wanted to go for a walk. She was definitely headed off down the street on a mission to somewhere and her owner wasn't even aware that she was out.

Isn't it weird how things like this happen? Is it fate? Is it some higher power controlling our actions? I wonder...






I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"