Herself is fond of pugs. She is not entirely sure why she is drawn to them; she just is. I think that perhaps there is something about their enormous dark eyes and their vaguely worried expressions that calls to her.
She keeps tabs on various pug-related pages and organizations on Facebook, including several pug-specific rescues. Late last night, one such rescue put out a message asking for pug fans in Herself's city. She responded to the call, and spoke with the Director of the pug rescue, who let her know that there were two pugs at the local animal services shelter. He asked that she take responsibility for retrieving the two pugs from the shelter and care for them briefly until arrangements could be made for transport of the pugs to the rescue.
On the one hand, Herself was a little terrified of getting involved. Would she be able to accomplish all that was necessary at her job that morning (there were several projects that needed to get out by noontime), and still retrieve the pugs? It seemed likely, but still worrisome. And there were a multitude of practical concerns: did she know how to get to the shelter? Where was her portable dog crate? Did she need to bring collars and leashes? She has no pug dog food, should she get some? What if the pugs had health issues? How should she separate them from Tiny Dog, until she knew that they were healthy and safe for interaction?
All night long, she dreamed about fetching the pugs.
This morning, she cut her time on her elliptical trainer slightly short, so that she could fill up the car with gas and get to her employment early enough to ensure she could handle work matters before leaving to go to the shelter. She had the telephone number of the shelter so that she could call right when they opened at 10 AM to inquire about the status of the pugs; she had her mapquest directions of the route to the shelter.
At about twenty after nine, though, she received a message from the Director of the pug rescue, who was in direct contact with the shelter himself. The pugs had already been retrieved. There was no need for Herself to take action.
Herself thanked him, and let him know that she would be available should the situation arise again.
__________
On the one hand, Herself was relieved that there was no need for her to determine all the final logistics of dog crates and kibble and leashes, and that she didn't need to drive to unfamiliar territory and take responsibility for a pair of small canines.
On the other hand, she was disappointed. She has been worn down by her unmooring and changes and wistfulness about things that cannot be, as well as by family gatherings and the accompanying memories. She would have enjoyed an opportunity to be momentary savior to two humble furry lives. Heartache is eased by the wag of a tail.
Perhaps an opportunity will arise again. We shall see.
You hurt and have sharp desire,
yet your presence is a healing calm.
-- Rumi, The Big Red Book
yet your presence is a healing calm.
-- Rumi, The Big Red Book
This sad pug was found in the Wikimedia Commons,
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