By Bonnie Parker
We had just moved into our new house and didn't know the neighbors yet. It was spring time and Max had just arrived as a new rescue. Since he had not been evaluated or vetted, I left him in the garage while I went to work that first day. I made him a nice bed in a crate but did not close him up. Work being what it is sometimes, I was not in a very good mood coming home.

Distracted by my troubles, I opened the garage door without thinking of Max's open crate, and he immediately darted out. I jumped out of the car and called him. He came towards me a little and I leaped at him, only to land on my knee and catch a little loose hair. Off he went into the wild yonder and pouring rain! In my dress and heels, I ran after him through the muddy back yards.

One neighbor whom I call "Mr. Granola", kind of a Gomer Pyle sort, came to my aid. He's a big slow fellow, but I welcomed any help I could get. Finally we had Max trapped in a back yard with only one escape route. Mr. Granola stood guard at the opening while I tried to sweet talk Max into letting me get near. It wasn't working! Max would dart away every time, and I was about ready to give up. It was about this time I noticed a line of neighbors standing in the street watching our little situation. It must have been quite entertaining for them!

Picture this old lady in a dress and heels and a big ponytailed man, trying to corral a bob-tailed muddy dog in the driving rain! I was really about to give it up when Mr. Granola did the most bizarre thing. We were both about 6 feet from Max when Mr. Granola started growling. Max, who wasn't very sure about men anyway, decided at that moment he needed some protection from the giant granola man. My sweet neighbor insisted on carrying the wet and muddy Max all the way back to the garage. What a way to meet the neighbors!

Return to Featured Articles