Doggy

An interesting experience happened yesterday; I felt like writing it out. Also sorry about my inactivity goise. ):

8/4/2011

I was walking home last sunset and when I made the turn onto my street I was disturbed to see a huge grown german shepherd running straight at me. With its tongue hanging and teeth bared, I braced myself for what I thought was going to be a pretty ugly attack. However, the dog began to slow down and eventually made a complete stop at my feet. It looked up and it started to lick me.

I laughed as I pushed it away, but it quickly faltered when I looked down the street to see that nobody was actually trailing this dog. It had no leash, nor did it have a collar. The dog gave me an inquisitive look as it just paced around me. Confused, I decide to sit down on the grass and wait to see if anyone was going to come for him.

The dog took a very relaxed position next to me, as if it were inviting conversation. I smirked at the idea at first, but the dog looked up and gave me a meaningful look that almost said “hey, something up?”. I literally shook my head at the ridiculousness of the idea, but somehow reason didn’t seem reasonable enough.

I started talking. I was self conscious about it at first, because I felt awkward as hell talking to a god damned dog. But eventually I started to wonder if I was talking to the dog or to myself. Or is there even a difference?

I started ranting about unspoken problems I had, because I can’t communicate inner conflicts I have with other people very well. I talked about a lot of things: problems with my family, problems with girls, conflict at my job, and even the pressure I was getting from my own hobby. My uneasiness and reluctance about speaking to a dog ebbed away. The dog just kept gazing ahead; it was still as a rock. It remained silent, as if it were telling me to continue.

I kept talking and talking, I wouldn’t shut up. All of this venting made me feel extremely good, and I even managed to come up with some solutions for the problems I had. I felt amazing, and I didn’t even know why. The dog interrupted his long silence with a quick sneeze, eyed me for a brief moment, then went back to his usual position.

I talked for a while, but after I was done venting there was a rather long silence between us. The dog had not moved from its position in the longest time, but it wasn’t even sleeping. I looked beside me at the dog. I was truly amazed by such a creature. How could something that didn’t do anything be so comforting? I was content with the creature by my side, and for once in the longest time I didn’t need to be mindlessly absorbed with something to do to be simply happy.

I lost track of time, but it was considerably dark now. I heard footsteps approaching from across the street. I try to make out the outline of the figure, but it’s unrecognizable.

Once the figure steps into the illumination of the street light, I find out that it’s a considerably aged man walking towards me. The dog’s ears shoot up, and it scrambles up. The man claps his knees and speaks in a voice much lighter than suited for his age.

“Come here boy!”

The dog runs towards him and he bends down to greet it with a big hug. The scene was really beautiful; the entire street was dark and a man and his best friend were hugging in the small spotlight created by the street light.

I got up and I’m surprised that my legs lock up for a second. I’ve been sitting for a really long time. I brush the dirt off my hands as I go greet the man.

“You know,” I said as I approached him, “you should really put a leash on your dog or something! It’s good that I came across it when I did or something might’ve happened.”

I realized how stupid what I said was. Both he and I knew this dog would have been just fine. It was an indescribable feeling of assurance.

“Oh ho, I’m sure this fellow would’ve been okay.” His voice was extremely gentle and kind. “Thank you though, I’m really grateful. I’m sorry if he caused you any trouble.” He was on the ground rubbing the dog’s belly as it was keeled over.

“It’s no problem at all,” Logic consumed me once more. “But what if he got into an accident, or what if someone stole him?”

He looked at me with a sympathetic expression.

“I have been with this dog for a long time,” he said as he pulled a treat from his pocket, ”and I know he wouldn’t desert me.”

I looked at the dog. It is up and it sniffed the man’s clenched fist, pawing at his chest.

“I have absolute trust in this dog. Sometimes you just have to accept and have the will to trust others, you know? It’s incredibly easy with these guys, they have no intention of hurting you. It’s all about that faith, eh?”

I looked at him. His eyes are really kind.

“Ay,” he said as he hoisted himself up and pounded his back, “I must be going now. I gotta feed this poor sap his dinner before he starves to death! Thanks for looking after him. You didn’t need to, but I still appreciate it. I’m sorry when I say I don’t have any money to repay you. Say bye Han!”

The man walked off, with the dog bouncing next to him.

I stood there for a minute, watching the darkness envelope them and disappear. I think about what’s happened and the words the man spoke. I didn’t even ask for his name, and I didn’t even get to pet the dog again. Nonetheless, I smiled. As I finish my walk home I think about this new concept of the word I already know the definition of: faith. I think I know a little bit more about what there is to myself now, and it’s all because of a dog. I know for most it may sound extremely stupid, but my idea of companionship and faith changed just a little bit that day.

Thank you, Han!!!