Last Sunday, July 3, my parents were up at our family campground. They took their dog, Payton, with them, as they always do. They were all down on their boat when Payton became spooked by the illegal fireworks that the jerks (this is a much milder word than I would like to use) at the next campground over were shooting off the riverbank. Dad took Payt and put him in the camper to try and calm him down. Somehow Payt managed to nose the door open and ran off into the woods, terrified by the incredibly loud and close fireworks. He's never done anything like that before and usually sticks close by to my mom at all times - we joke that he's a "mama's boy."
For the next three days, he was nowhere to be found, despite an incredible outpouring of help and support. You know how much I love my bunnies? Well, I come by it honestly. My parents love this dog like he was their own child (they even had a professional portrait taken with just them and Payton and refer to it as the "family picture"). The idea that he wouldn't be coming back was simply unfathomable. My parents' friends know this and a half dozen or so joined my parents in tromping through the woods, hanging up signs, talking to people who live nearby and contacting shelters and vets. My friends and my brother's friends joined in as well, helping to spread the word through Facebook and phone calls. Perfect strangers even joined in the hunt for him - just because they knew how much a dog can mean to a family.
On Wednesday night, my parents got the call they had been praying for. A good Samaritan had seen Payton sitting in the middle of the road in a construction area and had stopped to pick him up. He was covered in burrs and seeds, but was otherwise unharmed. The woman who found him wouldn't accept the reward that my parents were offering. She said that if they wanted to thank her, they could make a donation in her name to the local animal shelter, which they did immediately.
So here I am, in the basement, with Payton napping peacefully next to me. My parents had to make a trip to Wisconsin today for a graduation party and didn't want Payton alone for a second, so I swooped in to cuddle and spoil him for the day.
This whole experience, while heart-wrenching and terrifying, has also really made me realize how many good people there are in the world and how many people really do understand that pets are like members of the family. For every person who scoffs that "It's just an animal," there is a person who knows how much love, joy and comfort a pet can bring. I'm so thankful to have so many of these people in my life and I look forward to meeting even more.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who helped bring Payton home, whether it was through walking through the woods or just sparing a positive thought or prayer.
It's time for me to wrap this up. There's a little doggy who needs some cuddling.
1 comments:
Thank goodness he's ok. What a horrible experience to go through, even though you were surrounded by good people.
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