Can I offer a prayer of thanks rather than request one? (tacran)

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    Can I offer a prayer of thanks rather than request one? (tacran)

    I was requesting the prayers silently today, but it all worked out with a very happy ending, so I thought I'd share the story.

    Today I was on my way to work and saw two dogs trotting down the sidewalk heading to a busy, major road.  I stopped and rolled down my window and called "Hi puppies!"  They came right to my door and seemed friendly, so I got out of the car and was surprised to find them nosing right to me.  I opened the back door and they hopped in.  I drove back to my house thinking, "Now what?  I hope they don't attack me or freak out in the car!" 

    I kept talking to them in a sing-song voice (what a dork), and when I got home, I found one had a collar with a dog license and an indecipherable tag, the other no collar at all.  No other ID, so I couldn't call an owner.  I wondered how they'd do in the car if I drove the few miles to the county dog control, but decided that was the best option since I had to go to work and couldn't leave them unattended in my house or yard.  They were so good - eventually lying down in the backseat to nap.  Less than an hour after I brought them, their info and photos were on the county's website (they had microchips).  Two hours later, their photos were gone, so I called to confirm their owner picked them up.  Turns out they were about 2 miles from home and had crossed a VERY busy road to get to my area.  I don't know how long they were loose.

    I was so thankful -- I worried about them all morning and could hardly work.  They were beautiful dogs - a male German Shepherd and female Chocolate Lab, purebreds I think.  They were clearly a bonded pair and so amazingly good throughout the 45 minutes I had them in my car.  I didn't realize until AFTER I dropped them off that they were beyond filthy, so my car is covered in red clay dust and dirt and smells lovely! 

    Anyway, when I found myself with two strange, big dogs panting and looking at me in the rearview mirror, I just kept praying they'd behave, that I'd know what to do, and they'd be okay.  I'd like to think that Tonka (our doggy angel) led them to the street by our house, knowing I'd want to help them and that I'd be safe with them in my car.  I picked them up with almost no thought - it happened so quickly. 

    So, my prayers were answered -- they're safely home -- and I'm so incredibly grateful.  I'd be going to bed in a much different frame of mind if the no one claimed them today! 

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    Tracy, that is so awesome!  I'm glad everything worked out for the dogs and you!  Such a nice story this morning.  Angel

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    I'm so glad that everything worked out! 

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    Its always nice to hear about good things that happen.   This is a good way to start my day, thanks for sharing.

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    Sometimes the sharing of prayers answered is SUCH a huge deal for folks.  Thank you for sharing and ... thank YOU so much for doing this for these two dogs.  You are their hero!!!

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    Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.  I wonder if the owners realize how lucky they are that you were able and willing to get these dogs returned to them. Maybe you were the answer to their prayers.

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    An angel (you) was sent to help those two just in the nick of time. How awesome of you Tracy and I hope it makes you feel as warm and fuzzy as it does me. Angel

     

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    Aw, what a cute story. Warm fuzzies all around. And liver treats for you! Stick out tongue

    That reminds me of something similar that happened a few years back. I had brought Rupert to the dog park (60 miles away), and on the way home I saw a golden retriever dodging cars on the highway. I pulled over, got Rupert to sit in the front seat, and got the golden to jump in the back. I just kept praying she was ok with other dogs. Rupe gets along with EVERYbuddy. Poor girl was so exhausted (physically AND mentally, I'm guessing) she just jumped in and laid right down. She, too, was covered in dirt and her coat was matted with burrs. I took the next exit, found a gas station and got directions to the shelter. I felt bad leaving her, but I called the next day and she had been picked up by her owners.

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    I have tears in my eyes.  Thank you Tracy for taking the time to take care of the dogs. You are their angel.

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    janobonano
    Rupe gets along with EVERYbuddy.

    Ahhhh, he probably thought you'd gotten him a really special new toy to play with. As much as I'd hate to take a stray to the shelter, I think we all know that that's the very first place we'd head if one of our dogs was missing, so it's not a bad idea. You were both sweet to check on them though and yay that their owners came and picked them up. This does tie in to the thread about dog collars though. I want to make it as easy as possible for someone to contact me if they find one of my dogs.

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    Thank you for all the nice comments!  Maybe it's because I gravitate to the Rainbow Bridge and Prayer threads, but it seems like the happy ending stories aren't as common, so I wanted to share this one!

    It's funny . . . I was feeling "warm and fuzzy" and relieved yesterday, but today it was like my analytical brain finally kicked in.  What was I thinking just getting out in the middle of the road and letting two strange dogs come right to me?  What if they started jumping or going crazy when I first drove off with them?  What if the Shepherd tried to bite me while I kept trying to read his tag?  Why didn't I think to get water, biscuits or leashes from my house when I went back home to call my husband?  And -- this will sound completely insane -- why don't I have a cell phone????  It's situations like that when it would've come in very handy!  Instead, I had to drive home and leave the dogs unattended in the car for 60 seconds to go in and get the house phone!  I know, I have to join the technical world and get a cell phone.  I just keep dragging my feet.

    All this over-thinking is how I generally live my life, which is why it was so bizarre that I suddenly found myself with these two faces looking at me (the incredible eyes of the Shepherd are still with me).  It was like my brain shut off.  So, prayers were definitely answered.  Things could've gone very wrong in many ways, but instead all three of us were happy and safe when it was over!

    Janice, you give that sweet Rupey a big kiss from me -- what a good boy to handle a strange and upset dog in his car!  I'm so glad your story was a happy one, too.  How terrified that poor dog must've been on a highway!

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    Tracy, first, I don't own a cell phone either, so we can stay in the Dark Ages together.

    And, I truly believe that these dogs knew you were helping them.  Had they been viscious, you probably wouldn't have been able to approach them.  Obviously, they had loving homes and training to make sure they weren't a risk to someone outside their families.  If they'd had any doubt about your intent, they'd likely have bolted.  It was probably just another part of their little adventure.  "Hey we escaped and ran around loose for a while, then this nice lady picked us up and took us for a ride in the car (we love car rides), and then we went someplace else that there were lots of other animals - but we only stayed for a short time.  And then mom came and got us.  Whew, what a busy day!  PS: don't tell mom, but we got to roll in some smelly stuff and maybe eat some things we shouldn't have while we were out.  Man, we had some fun!" 

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    sharismom
    Hey we escaped and ran around loose for a while, then this nice lady picked us up and took us for a ride in the car (we love car rides), and then we went someplace else that there were lots of other animals - but we only stayed for a short time.  And then mom came and got us.  Whew, what a busy day!  PS: don't tell mom, but we got to roll in some smelly stuff and maybe eat some things we shouldn't have while we were out.  Man, we had some fun!" 

     

    This is so funny and probably exactly how the dogs felt, which is why, for dogs, escaping is a very rewarding experience. They don't understand the dangers until its' too late.

    Tracy, I have done something very similar and felt the same way afterwards. Your instincts told you these dogs were safe. I had an Irish Setter jump right into my car, before I could even get out.  She jumped over me and sat right down on the front seat. It happened so fast I never had time to be worried until it was all over.  She was reunited with her owner too.

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    sharismom
    Tracy, first, I don't own a cell phone either, so we can stay in the Dark Ages together.

     Surprise  Really, Tina?! Other than my brother-in-law, I don't know anyone over age 12 who doesn't have one.  Maybe we can start a club!  Even my 70 year old mother has a cell phone.  Funny aside:  My BIL is so deep in the Dark Ages that he doesn't know how to use a computer AND he still listens to record albums on a turntable (he has a vast collection).  His friend said he'll send him a smoke signal when he wants to get in touch since he can't call or email him! Stick out tongue

    You're probably right about the dogs sensing my good intentions.  I was trying to be calm, even though I was nervously chattering at them in a dorky voice.  They probably thought, "Why is she endlessly repeating that we're good doggies and we're so pretty??"  The lab definitely had that goofy adventure look on her face, like she was saying, "Cool!  It's fun to be in the car!"  The Shepherd was more intense - not in a bad way, just being the voice of reason for the pair of them - staring at me as if to say, "Lady, you seem okay, and I'll cooperate, but I've got my eye on you!"  He was stunning.

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    tacran
    Really, Tina?! Other than my brother-in-law, I don't know anyone over age 12 who doesn't have one.  Maybe we can start a club!

     

      I'll join; that makes four of us. Thanks so much for rescuing them and sharing the happy ending.