I was wishing only yesterday that I would hear of a heartwarming dog story to post for Christmas.
A long time ago when I was a young reporter, I got to cover a story about a cat who made it home for Christmas. The cat had disappeared as the family got ready to leave a summer cottage in Michigan and return to Indiana. Family members searched everywhere, but couldn't find the cat, and finally, feeling sad, had to leave.
Almost four months later, a few days before Christmas, the family opened the door and an emaciated stray cat sat there. The family had no idea who it was, starved and matted, with pads on its feet worn away. The cat entered the room, went to the sofa, jumped up on it, and lay down to sleep.
The mom thought to check behind the cat's ear for a scar. The family's cat had had a surgery years before, and sure enough, the gaunt cat was their own lost one.
They could scarcely believe it. The cat would have had to cross two rivers and three interstate highways (the dad showed me a map), not to mention a host of other busy roads. They couldn't figure out how the cat, who rode to the cottage in a car, could figure out a way home on foot. But there she was. It was a great story to listen to and write up.
Today, an email arrived from a friend, along with a poster he'd created for the Humane Society, asking for help for an injured pug. No heartwarming Christmas story here. Onyx has a broken pelvis and two crippled back legs, and needs extensive surgery. My friend said rescuers dug buckshot out of the dog's rear end. Those who want to contribute to Onyx's surgery can mail checks to HSUV-Box 51021, Idaho Falls, 83405, and write on them "Second Chance Onyx."
Every pug I've known has been adorable and funny. (This isn't the real Onyx pictured here.) It's hard to think of someone mistreating one. I had un-Christmas-like thoughts about the dog's abuser, and almost hated to pass along the poster to my dog-lovin' friends because it's so difficult to hear of these things.
On the other hand, Onyx is safe now. And people will make sure that his life from now on is filled with kindness.
So there's a heartwarming, Christmas aspect, after all. Big-hearted individuals and organizations stand ready to help dogs in need.
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