The intrepid little fellow had crossed the main Glasgow to London railway line !

Back down the stairs I flew, to where the cab was standing. After passing on news of the immediate developments to the driver, I approached the tall wire-mesh fence skirting the bottom of the railway embankment. I whistled and called out the dog's name.  "Min-ka! Min-ka!"

A plaintive yelp emanated from the undergrowth. I called out once again, to be answered by another yelp from the same direction. The wee soul was nowhere to be seen. I tried to climb the fence, but could not get a foothold. At that moment, a gentleman in his late 30's came strolling past. Intrigued by the goings-on, he stopped and asked, "Anything the matter?"

My reply, that my dog was lost among the weeds and thorns, led to an immediate action plan. If I could climb up the stone pier at the foot of the embankment, and approach from the east, he would climb over the fence and close in from the west. I was mystified by the stranger's confidence, but  true to his word, he scrambled over the fence, while I clambered up on top of the sandstone pier, and headed up and along, trying to avoid the jaggy and forbidding vegetation.  Within a minute, my canine companion came scurrying between briers and shrubs, to appear at my feet, tongue hanging out, tail wagging joyfully, and obviously glad to see me.

Soon the three of us were at street level - myself, the helpful stranger, and Minka. The private cab driver was informed of  the  satisfactory outcome, and thanked most sincerely for taking such an interest and giving up his valuable time.

I cannot remember asking the stranger's name, but offered to buy him a couple of pints for his trouble. As it happened, he was on his way to the Coach and Horses, conveniently near to Newton Station. The rest of the afternoon was spent in that hostelry, while the knight in shining armour told me about once having a dog identical to Minka, and that having had a couple of whiskies at home, this enabled him to consider an action which he wouldn't have entertained, had he been stone cold sober !

"What a handsome doggy!"  (1992)

"I'm supposed to chase you, right?"

This story and the photographs will be kept on this web-site in memory of Minka V, who was humanely put to sleep following a combination of illness and old age. He was just over 15 years of age.  An irregular heart-beat meant that he would have been a poor candidate for surgery, should the need have arisen. Another pet has now entered my life, Minka VI, (original name Susie) who is a greyhound brought to me by a dog rescue service. She is black with a white vertical stripe on her chest, and some white markings on her paws. Go to Rainbow Bridge for a list of Minkas.

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