Return to Fender
Friday
While mixing down my latest FFC edition, I let Fender outside for some fresh air. When I went outside to check on him, he was gone. We have a big backyard and patio, so I assumed he was "off in the cut" somewhere and not ready to come inside. Hours passed and I didn't hear him scratching on the door as usual. Fender was gone.
Saturday
I started asking people in the neighborhood if they had seen Fender. He was spotted on the next street, barking at a pitbull, but he was shoo'ed out of their yard. I made a flyer and got copies printed at FedEx/Kinko's. My family and I posted them on STOP signs and light posts near our home - we even handed a few out to residents we passed on the street.
People are known to steal purebred dogs and sell them. The probability of finding Fender diminished with each passing moment. He can be a real nuisance with his incessant snorting, snoring, scratching, panting, stubborn personality and leaving trails of half-eaten bones in his path. His hair gets on everything, resulting in a never-ending sweeping/vacuuming/dusting ritual just to keep things clean. The silence that night wasn't peaceful, it was a reminder of his absence.
Sunday
I went to the grocery for a few items and that's when it hit me - that I may never see Fender again. We have two other dogs, but Fender was the dog I've been wanting for years. He could be annoying, but he represented the fulfillment of a dream. A wave of sadness rushed over me and I called my best friend (who I hadn't heard from in a while), to take my mind off bad thoughts. We chatted about his life as I strolled the aisles, looking like I was talking to myself (thanks Bluetooth earpiece!). His rhetoric was funny, but not comedic enough to suppress the reality that I may never see my dog again.
That's when the phone beeped.
I pulled it out my pocket and saw an unfamiliar, local number. I put my friend on hold:
Fave: Hello?
Lady: Hi, this is the Houston Humane Society. We have your dog, Fender?
Fave: You do?
Lady: Yeah, we called this number that was on the tag. He was brought in this morning.
Fave: Oh wow, fantastic! Are you open today or do I have to wait 'til Tuesday to pick him up?
Lady: No, we're open 'til 5 o'clock today - you can come get him today if you'd like.
I paid for my groceries and made the 12-mile trek to the Houston Humane Society to get my dog. When we got home, our neighbor's daughter was in awe.
"I can't believe you got him back," she shook her head.
I could.
Until next time. . .
Eve says:
I am happy that he's home and he's quiet now.