On November 11, 2014 we left the house, eager to get in the woods. Chuck had a rare day off and wanted to scout an area for potential duck hunting spots. Bo was tagging along. Charley was at a friend's house. We thought My Friend was back at the house.
He had been chasing a girl in heat for what seemed like weeks. I'd tracked him down more than once and put him on house arrest. During that time he was uncharacteristically restless which made keeping him cooped up difficult. I'd let him out to relieve himself on the morning of our planned hike and he immediately left the yard, determined to see his girlfriend. I got in the truck and tracked him down. Thinking he'd got the girl out of his system, I stupidly left him outside again. I remember looking at him as we left to go on our hike, comfortably balled up in the pine straw, thinking surely that other dog is no longer in heat (it'd been forever) and surely My Friend is too tired to run off again today.
I was wrong.
That was the last time we saw My Friend.
I was relentless in my search. Local facebook posts, seemingly endless driving around, asking everyone I saw, following leads, printing and posting signs, checking with the shelters and vet offices, communicating with animal control, working with neighbors, listening for barks and literally running I found the source.
It was exhausting. It was heartbreaking.
Not yet knowing his fate, one night, I laid in bed with Charley, my heart broke for her as she cried. She said, "Please don't cry Mama. Please don't cry."
I was making it worse.
It was awful.
I'd gotten word My Friend had been seen down a certain road about 2 1/2 miles from here. Early in my search, I'd traveled down that road and seen a man in his yard. I stopped and asked if he'd seen My Friend. He had. In fact he said he'd tied My Friend up, thinking there could be a reward, but eventually let him go saying he didn't have anywhere to keep him. I found out the man even owned the dog My Friend had been chasing. He had put his dog up several days prior.
I knew then My Friend probably wasn't coming home.
My Friend is not a dog who just chooses not to come home. He's an adventurer but he loves home. He's the most loyal dog I've ever known. I knew if he wasn't being drawn by a dog in heat or being held against his will, he was dead.
I found out the man was a convicted felon, heavily into drugs, and was only recently released from jail. I wondered if the man was holding My Friend, or if he'd sold him. It seemed far fetched. My Friend was almost 8 but he'd have no way of knowing that. I wondered if he'd become frustrated with him and killed him. I was grasping at straws.
I pulled over in the dark one night, close to his house. Chuck and the girls were back at home. I stared into the darkness toward his house with my hand on the door latch trying to talk myself into, then out of, walking through the woods to do my own search. Eventually, I decided against it. No one even knew where I was and couldn't imagine the call where I told Chuck my plan going over well. I drove home, wishing I could have done more.
My neighbor and I went back to the man's house a couple of days later but no one was home. My neighbor noticed a pan that seemed to be in use as a dog bowl out in the yard, by a storage building and crumbling privacy fence. We walked over and saw a large, white, pit bull in a doghouse about 25 feet from where we were standing. The dog never moved or barked at all and never took his eyes off of us. I left a note on the trailer door to advice the man that we had decided to offer a reward for our missing dog.
At another point I went back to this man's house and talked to his girlfriend. Her story was the same as her boyfriend's.
On the evening of Saturday, December 6, 2014, I received a call from a woman who said she knew what happened to My Friend. She said the same man, who I'd suspected all along, told her that his male pit bull (the eerily quiet white dog we'd seen in the yard) attacked and killed My Friend. The man told her, “it was a territorial thing.” He buried our dog and hid the truth from us.
You worry about your dogs getting hit by cars, getting lost, maybe even making a neighbor mad. You don't worry about them being killed by a beast lying in wait, hell bent on holding on to his neck with unnatural strength until your beloved pet goes limp.
We'll never have the peace of seeing him one last time here on earth or find solace in visiting his graveside, but at least we know he isn't lost. At least we can stop waiting for him to come home.
My Friend was a good dog.
November 2006 - November 2014
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ReplyDeleteHi Hayley, it's Katie. I haven't posted in awhile but I wanted to let you know how incredibly sorry I am for the loss of your dear My Friend. You're right. He was a great dog, and I could tell from the entries you have written here about him. I'm so sorry about the way he lost his life, but please know that you have given him a wonderful one. When you think about it, he's roamed the foothills of Alabama, Virginia AND Alaska. He's gotten endless love, hugs and cuddles from his favorite people. He's had birthday parties and hung out with great kids. My Friend was well loved, and I believe he knows that. He's looking down and wagging his tail I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteThe man you encountered is, at the very least, a shady person and I'm glad you weren't hurt while trying to track My Friend down.
I've never forgotten the advice you gave me when I had to rehome my dog Noah. You told me that time heals, and it's true. I know you'll never have complete closure in what happened to My Friend, but I do believe he's at peace. I hope that you all find some comfort soon. Big hugs to you and your family. You're in my prayers. <3
Oh Katie. You are so kind. I mean really. This means a lot. I don't expect anyone to read my blog anymore (REALLY, I don't) but it's turned into the scrapbook (picture book) of our lives so I couldn't leave this part out. I am pleasantly surprised to hear from you and appreciate your comment SO much.
ReplyDeleteI've since heard from many people who've experienced loss that time actually doesn't heal, so I'm glad to hear you benefited from hearing it. I've always felt like it was true. At least, in that the pain lessens over time, not that you ever forget, or ever stop loving or missing.
Anyway, good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well.
And thank you again.
ReplyDeleteWell I am really crying now. He really WAS a good dog. Loyal and so patient. This is a wonderful tribute to him. I admire you for going through the pain of writing it out and looking for all the sweet pictures. I know he is at peace now and happy. It's only us who are sad. I know you guys miss him so much, but we can all be so thankful for the time God gave us with My Friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks sister.
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