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Chapter 7. "Much Better Than Clothes!" -- The Rescue of Heidi
I lost Sheppie in 1979. She had begun a slow decline in her senior years, slowly losing most of her sight and her former vigor. It had become difficult for her to walk and she was drinking a lot of water and becoming incontinent. A trip to the vet indicated her kidneys were failing. After months of tying to maintain her on fluids and medication, I finally had to let Sheppie go. I brought her to my vet one rainy afternoon for euthanasia, my tears blending into the falling raindrops. I cried for days afterward as Sheppie had been a crucial part of my life for 15 years.
Our home seemed empty without a dog. Tara asked me when we would get another, but I needed some time. "One of these days we will go to the ASPCA and rescue a nice dog, " I promised my daughter, but I couldn't seem to make the time.
Tara was quickly growing and needed some new clothes. One Thursday afternoon I decided to go to Harlem as there were a variety of stores on 125th Street where one could find good deals on baby clothes and other items. I left Tara with my mom and jumped on a subway uptown.
But, I never made it to any of the stores.
As I left the subway and walked up 125th Street, I noticed a very skinny German Shepherd dog dodging traffic and running frantically. One car missed the dog by mere inches. I decided quickly I had to do something.
I ran in a local bodega and bought a can of dog food. I practically screamed at the clerk to open it for me, "QUICK!" I ran back outside, but couldn't see the dog. A young kid hurriedly pointed to me, "The dog ran that way!" he said. I ran as fast as I could and spotted the dog further up the block. She was darting from one side of the street to the other. People gasped and stood around. Cars screeched in their tracks, trying to avoid hitting the dog. No one seemed to know what to do.
I got within 10 feet of the frightened animal and held out the dog food in my hand. "Here, girl, are you hungry?" I bent down and cooed to her. Her anxious eyes seemed wary, but it was obvious the dog was very hungry. She approached me with trepidation, but once close, she began to gobble the dog food veraciously from my opened hand. I petted her scrawny back, wondering to myself, how would I get this dog home?
Some young kids stood around watching me feed and pet the stray dog. I suddenly had an idea. "Can one of you boys help me?" I asked. One of them stepped forward and asked what I needed. "I need some rope" I told the eager youngster. "Can you run into some stores and ask if anyone can give you some rope that I can use as a leash for the dog?" "Sure!" the boy replied enthusiastically. He and his friend took off with the speed of lightening. I prayed they could find some rope. And I prayed I could hold on to the dog long enough for them to get it to me.
The dog had finished all of the food, but fortunately did not try to flee. For the first time she had stopped trembling and seemed relaxed. She didn't seem to want to leave the security of my arms. I held on to her wishing the boys would hurry.
About ten minutes later, the two young boys raced towards me, wide smiles on their faces and rope dangling from their hands. "We got it!" they yelled excitedly. "We got it!"
I made a makeshift leash from the rope, put it around the dog's neck and gratefully thanked the young boys and offered them a few bucks for their help. "That's OK," they said refusing the money. "We're glad we could help you save the dog." "What nice, nice boys you are!" I told them. "You tell your parents they should be very proud of you!"
It seemed to take forever, but I was finally able to hail a gypsy cab in Harlem willing to stop for me and the dog. "Ninety-second Street and Lexington" I told the driver. The dog now happy and secure, rested on my lap.
I then wondered to myself, What if this dog isn't good with kids or cats?
I was very nervous when reaching my apartment with this dog I knew nothing about. What if she tries to attack my cats? What if she's not good with children? What if she is sick? So many questions, so few answers as I opened the door.
My four cats, while used to dogs were not used to this one. One look at the German Shepherd and they quickly scattered. The dog saw the cats but made no move towards them. At least this was a good sign!
I spent a good hour getting the dog settled in and making sure she was no threat to my cats. When I was satisfied everything was OK, I left the apartment to pick up Tara from my mom's place.
"Did you find some nice clothes for me, Mommy?" Tara asked curiously. "Well, not exactly, Tara." "But, I think I found something you will like even better than clothes."
We later named the dog, "Heidi" after the famous story of the same name. Despite all my worries, none proved to be true. Heidi was wonderful with my daughter and great with cats. She was so happy to have a loving home that indeed, I never had to worry at all.
"Oh mommy, mommy!" Tara shouted with glee when first seeing Heidi. And when Heidi went up to Tara with tail wagging and gently licked my daughter's face, I knew it was all going to be fine.
"Mommy, this is much better than clothes!" Tara said, the smile on her face, wider than the sun.